Tourism Minister Encourages Women in Media: "Think Big and Collaborate"
During her speech at the AGM, Minister Kamtukule urged women in the media not to underestimate their abilities.
Dowa, Malawi - In a powerful message to women working in the media sector, Vera Kamtukule, Malawi's Minister of Tourism, urged female journalists in the country to aspire to greater heights and prioritise collaboration, writes Tionge Hara.
The Minister delivered this inspiring call during her address at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Women in Media (AWOME) in Mponela, Dowa.
During her speech at the AGM, Minister Kamtukule urged women in the media not to underestimate their abilities.
She emphasised the importance of hard work and pursuing significant stories as their primary goal. Collaboration, she noted, is a valuable tool for professional growth.
In a post-speech interview, Minister Kamtukule elaborated on the essential ingredients for success in the media industry, emphasizing the value of building robust social networks, maintaining a strong digital presence, upholding personal dignity, and recognizing the role of sponsorship in career advancement.
Tereza Ndanga, Chairperson of the Trustees for AWOME, also emphasized the importance of hard work among women in media, highlighting that the industry should be about merit rather than gender.
"It doesn't matter if a person is a woman or not. If men can do it, we can too," she affirmed.
Ndanga encouraged women to vie for positions typically occupied by men, emphasizing that self-doubt is a hindrance.
Dorothy Kachitsa, the incoming chairperson of AWOME, stated that the organization's primary goal is to strategize the growth of women in the media field in Malawi.
The AGM serves as a platform for advocating for the welfare of women and girls in the country.
The event has received support from various partners, including the Malawi Revenue Authority (MERA), Blantyre Water Board, World Vision, Gazette Media, MW 2063, and the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA).
AWOME, a registered organisation since 2020, has been making significant strides in advancing the role and influence of women in the media industry in Malawi.