Different Contexts but Similar Challenges for Women in the News Industry Globally
30th May 2023 The SLAWIJ’s Executive President Mrs. Millicent Kargbo joined other high-profile personalities including
30th May 2023 The SLAWIJ’s Executive President Mrs. Millicent Kargbo joined other high-profile personalities including
History has been made in Sierra Leone as His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio gave
Did you know that, worldwide, sexual harassment is one of the most common forms of
The advancement of digital technology has enabled people to easily communicate, raise awareness, share important
Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) with funding support from Internews (US) has
Representatives from the media across Sierra Leone committed to supporting the Gender Empowerment Bill 2021
As part of the campaign for the enactment of the Gender Empowerment Bill 2021, the
The Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) with support from Defense for Children
UN Women in Sierra Leone on Wednesday 29th September held a one-day planning meeting with
The Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) joined other partners in a two
Ministers of Cabinet on 21st July 2021 unanimously agreed on the ‘Gender Empowerment Bill’. The
On 31st July 2021, thirty women in journalism, public relations, development media and students were
At the launch of State of the World Population Report and World Population Day Commemoration
The Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) joined the commemoration of this year’s
The Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) has entered into partnership with the
International Women’s Day was well spent in Kabala Town, Koinadugu District, with women representatives from
Freetown February 23rd – The Sierra Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) in a bid
Catching them young is a strategy employed by SLAWIJ to support the campaign against gender
The Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) applauds the Government of Sierra Leone
In collaboration with the Mass Communication Department Fourah Bay College (FBC), SLAWIJ with support from
The Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) on Tuesday 4th August signed a
As a female media right based organization, we are passionate about empowerment of women across all sectors and regions in Sierra Leone through information sharing and providing a platform for engagement.
Adviser
Mariama Coker started as a cub reporter and rose through the ranks to become top of her class in print media in Sierra Leone. She worked for the media houses like Sierra Leone Daily Mail, Expo Times Newspaper, News Storm, Salone Times, Stringer for KISS 104 in Bo, Skyy Radio in Freetown. Her commitment to duty got her appointed as a Press Attache’ to the Mano River Union Countries to serve her country in a diplomatic capacity. She served for ten (10) years promoting her country before she returned.
She has held various positions within media organizations in Sierra Leone and was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Awards by the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists in 2019. In what now seems like a retirement of a seasoned female journalist, Mariama Coker is now a Freelancer and mentoring young female journalists to make impact in the field of journalism.
Director of Finance
Haja Mariama Sesay is a celebrated female media personality whose journalism journey started over 15 years ago learning on the job with a strong passion for news and current affairs. Her contribution to the growth of women in the media landscape is enormous.
Having started as a reporter at Citizen Radio in 2005, her journalistic passion took her to the hills of Fourah Bay College Mass Communication Department where she secured her Associate Degree in Mass Communication. She is currently a Producer at BBC Media Action in Sierra Leone, where her decade long experience in the institution has been transformative.
Corporate Secretary
Zainab Kanu is a well-respected and experienced journalist in Sierra Leone. She ventured in the print media landscape a mostly male dominated territory and has worked her way through to become a strong reporter.
She is a female activist, a development media promoter and very passionate about equality in the media landscape of Sierra Leone and other African countries. She has attended many Media trainings and mentored other female journalists in the newsroom.
Director of Public Relations
Mariama Khai Fornah has over 10 years’ experience in Radio Journalism, gender activism and mentorship. She has worked as broadcast journalist for Eastern Radio in Kenema and Cotton Tree News (CTN). She served as a Local Trainer South-East of Sierra Leone providing trainings on basic journalism and mentorship for BBC Media Action and served as Program manager for several projects including the Cacao Livelihoods Project, the Queen’s Younger Leaders Project and Leave No Girl Behind Project for the organisation.
The first African female journalist to report on the Charles Taylor Trial from The Hague, Netherlands, an assistant producer for a weekly show on the Charles Taylor’s project called ‘HAGUE LINK’’. She has served as a communication consultant for World Bank in Sierra Leone and other organisations and is the Board Chair for Media Matters for Women Sierra Leone. (MMW-SL). She has won several awards including the Independent Media Commission Award for journalist of the year, 2011, Best Female Reporter in Sierra Leone.
Director of Programmes
Aminata Finda Massaquoi a media guru and social commentator. She started this amazing journey in 2009 as a reporter, went on to be a presenter, producer and is now the Station Manager of Culture Radio. She is one among few female journalists who head media houses in Sierra Leone. Her journey has not been smooth as one would imagine, but she’s a strong woman and was able to surmount her challenges.
Today, she serves as a vibrant voice to women’s issues within and out of the media. She has received several trainings in the media both nationally and internationally.
Executive President
Millicent Kargbo is the co-founder and first president of the Association. A strong advocate for professional growth of female journalists, better working conditions, education and leadership positions within the media. She is very passionate about gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment across all levels. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Sierra Leone. She works with the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone as Principal Public Information Officer.
In 2021, she was the senior producer at the Independent Radio Network—a bloc of 26 radio stations in Sierra Leone. Millicent was one of many Sierra Leoneans that were hired and trained by Fondation Hirondelle’sCotton Tree News (CTN) project where she eventually rose to the position of Features Editor and Deputy Senior Producer—the first female to hold a senior role in the newsroom.