The maiden edition of the Cedar Femme (CeFeM) Media Skills for HER Initiative, a free training workshop aimed at empowering young women in Africa with essential media production skills has ended.
This innovative programme is focused on addressing the gender gap in Africa’s media industry by providing hands-on training in smartphone media production, filmmaking, digital marketing, video production, photography, lighting, sound production, business of media, communication, and drone piloting.
It is also designed to foster digital literacy, economic independence, and gender equality through practical experience.
By equipping young women with these skills, the initiative further aims to close the significant gender gap in media production roles in Ghana and beyond.
The programme’s comprehensive curriculum ensures participants gain confidence and competence to enter and excel in the media industry.
Creative Director and founder of CeFem Media, organisers of the workshop, Regina Odigie-Olatayo, speaking at event highlighted the importance of the initiative.
With 16 years of experience in media, Ms Odigie-Olatayo shared her journey from being a presenter to transitioning into behind-the-scenes roles.
She identified a significant gap in operational media skills among women, noting that many women were unaware of the opportunities available behind the scenes.
She said her own challenges in media production motivated her to create this initiative to empower more women to venture into operational media roles.
She stressed the importance of women gaining technical skills in media, explaining that many women traditionally aim for roles in front of the camera, such as presenting and acting, without realizing the potential and opportunities in technical areas like camera operation, video editing, and production.
By learning these skills, she said women could not only secure better job opportunities but also embark on entrepreneurial ventures in the media industry.
“The Media Skills for HER Initiative is not just a workshop but a movement to open women’s minds to the vast opportunities in media.”
“Women have long been relegated to limited roles in front of the camera, but this initiative aims to change that by highlighting the numerous possibilities behind the camera,” she added.
Ms Odigie-Olatayo stated that these skills could lead to economic independence and entrepreneurial ventures, enabling women to produce their own content, create films, and build media businesses.
She mentioned that despite limited funding, the workshop received an overwhelming response.
She revealed though it was originally intended for 20 participants, the workshop accommodated 78 women, with over 168 registrations.
This overwhelming interest, Odigie-Olatayo said underscores the significant demand for such training programmes.
“The workshop’s success has prompted plans to hold it bimonthly, expanding its reach to more young women across Ghana and other African countries because it also attracted participants from beyond Ghana, making it a Pan-African event,” she said.
She therefore called for support from individuals and corproate organisations to sustain and expand the programme.
During an interaction with participants, one of the facilitators Mr Kwasi Adarkwa urged the beneficiaries to take seriously whatever they have been taught.
According to him gaining such practical skills was necessary for every woman aspiring to be a game changer in Africa’s media space.
He also touched on the relevance of creativity in coming out with good and interesting content that could catch the attention of people everywhere.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
