MONROVIA, Montserrado – The Press Union of Liberia is encouraging media organizations to provide friendlier working environments for women journalists.

The Press Union disclosed in a release that it remains proactively ready to press for progress on the expansion of gender parity mindset in newsrooms. The union said this could lead to more women in elective national leadership positions in the country.

Amid the observance of International Women’s Day, the Press Union congratulated women in the media.

The union noted that it is with honor that it salutes female journalists who are competing in a male-dominated profession rocked by financial and editorial independence challenges.

“Women in the media here are not treated specially from their male colleagues, they together endured the unfortunate harshness which accompanies being a journalist in Liberia,” the release read.

It added that, daily, almost all women reporters performed their duties without basic transportation, necessary equipment and special environment which could cater to their specific needs in their respective newsrooms.

Meanwhile, in the face of these challenges, the Press Union says the number of women in the media in Liberia has doubled, compared to the last two years.

“These women must be helped in every respect to stay and become professionals,” it emphasized.

The union also believes that the current number of women in the media is a good start for gender competitiveness in newsrooms across the country. It, however, encourages senior female journalists to give a push to the current group of entry and middle-level reporters creating in them the urge for leadership roles in newsrooms.

Featured photo by Ken Harper