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The first general assembly of the new Network of Ivoirian Women Journalists took place at the American Embassy (Photo: Yacouba Soro/US Embassy)

Assistant Secretary Applauds Ivoirian Women Journalists Organization

The Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer congratulated women journalists in Côte d’Ivoire for “their initiative to advance the role of women journalists in their country.” In a message, read on her behalf by the U.S. Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Aubrey Hooks, Mrs. Frazer noted that, “The lack of representation of women in African media has long been an impediment to improving the state of women throughout the continent.”

The message was delivered as Ivoirian women journalists gathered in the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan on July 15, 2006 to launch Réseau des Femmes Journalistes de Côte d’Ivoire (RéFJCI) – a network of professional Ivoirian women journalists.  The Assistant Secretary expressed her hope that, “Members of this new organization will embrace the opportunity to be role models that a new generation of women can emulate.”

Nearly fifty women journalists attended the general assembly that saw the election of Ms Agnes Kraidy, journalist with the state-owned daily Fraternité Matin, as the president of the new association. Speaking at the meeting, Ms Kraidy said, “I extend hands to my fellow colleagues to join me. I’ll do what they want me to do.” Supported by the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan, the new network intends to promote training for women journalists and to articulate for equal representation of both women and men in the media sphere.

In a bid to help the women media practitioners attain these objectives, Ambassador Hooks pledged to support their association. “The U.S. is committed to advancing the rights of women throughout the world…In Côte d’Ivoire we helped to create the Network of Women Journalists Against AIDS and regularly organize programs for women and women journalists.”

In a message, the Ivoirian Minister-delegate of Communication Mrs. Martine Coffi-Studer called on the women journalists to demonstrate a spirit of professionalism in the discharge of their duties for “the public and the population rely on you to have access to accurate and balanced information that they need for their education…Media practitioners, particularly women journalists, have an important role to play as part of efforts aimed at resolving the crisis that the country is facing.” Finally, Mrs Marcelle Ouégnin, the first Ivoirian woman broadcast journalist and guest of honor at the ceremony thanked the U.S. Embassy for supporting this laudable initiative.