International Justice/ICC: Oct/Nov ‘09

Project staff traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, in November to give a three-day training course on operating in a conflict zone for women journalists in North Kivu province.



The course combined seminars on international standards of journalism with security and medical training. War has raged in eastern DRC since the late Nineties, meaning few local reporters have had the opportunity for formal training and often find themselves in danger when going out on assignment.



Participants said they gained a great deal from the course given by IWPR’s international justice project manager Lisa Clifford and security expert Caroline Neil, a former officer in the British army.



“We have learned how to ensure our security, physical protection and about important medical aspects while working in a hostile environment,” said Marie Noellard Muhindo, a journalist with Congolese state radio.



“You are the first organisation to have thought of women journalists in Goma.”



The November course followed on from a June training session, also in Goma, offering security and medical tips to ensure journalists reporting in eastern DRC can work more safely.



“We live in a country torn by war and knowing how to take care of yourself is very good,” said course participant Esperance Nzigire, a reporter with RAO FM, one of IWPR’s Goma-based radio partners.



“You were the first to come to Goma to help women journalists to look after their security,” added another participant.



The course covered basic journalism skills such as lead writing, story structure, interviewing techniques and ethics. There were practical assignments with each lesson and students were each given a final story assignment, with a view to publishing their pieces on IWPR’s website.



The stories are now being edited with topics ranging from drug abuse in North Kivu to the problems experienced by children who were conceived when their mothers were raped.



Guest speakers included Justine Masika, a well-known human rights activist whose NGO works with victims of sexual violence in the east, and a representative from the American Bar Association in Goma, Sheyna Muhima. She spoke on the ABA’s work surrounding sexual violence in North and South Kivu.



On the medical and security side, students learned basic life support; how to cope with bleeding, burns and shock; and how to react to weapons fire. A series of practical exercises on the streets of Goma gave them the chance to put their new skills to the test under realistic circumstances.



“The training was a great success,” said participant Godelieve Uwimana.