On May 27, 2020, the 2nd Online Training Session was held for journalists as part of the joint project “Local communities build and sustain peace: Strengthening women and youth participation in building sustainable peace in Georgia” of the Women's Information Center and the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP).
Representatives of central and regional media took part in the online webinar. The training module consists of a total of 4 webinars and aims at:
- Increasing awareness of Georgian Journalists on the basic concepts of Gender Equality,different needs of girls and women in times of conflict and crisis situations, providing information on the UNSCR on Women and Peace and Security, as well as Georgia’s national and local governments efforts with regard to the implementation of their obligations;
- Supporting journalist understand their role and responsibilities in the process of implementation of WPS Agenda;
- Promoting generation dialogue and the importance of creating a gender-sensitive media product and highlighting the different needs of women during the Covid-19 pandemic, conflicts and crisis situations.
Elene Rusetskaia, director of Women’s Information Center and Lela Akiashvili, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Human Rights and Gender Equality opened the session and focused on the role of women’s involvement in negotiations and peace processes. The Minister's Adviser also spoke about the steps taken by the state or existing challenges in this direction.
Cora Weiss, a life-long peace activist, member of GNWP’s International Advisory Council and one of the drafters of Resolution 1325, who was nominated for the Nobel Prize four times, was also scheduled to attend the training. She was unable to participate, though she shared her main messages to the participants in a written way.
“People in media, journalists of all kinds and teachers are the most important people in the world. You convey information and teachers provide education. Everyone in the world depends on you. As you may have heard, the first casualty of war is the truth. I hope you will remember that with every word you speak and write. Search for and preserve the truth…
Resolution 1325 is perhaps one of the most important resolutions ever adopted by the United Nations in its 75 years. This was the first time our(women’s) brains and hearts have been honored.”- these are the words she began her speech.
The second session of the training was dedicated to women, peace and security and the role of the media in its implementation. Discussions were held on topics such as how relevant WPS is for Georgia; What is the role of a journalist in promoting it? How to report on Gender Equality and WPS in a way that convinces people in its importance.