UNESCO to help Palau come up with gender policy in reporting

Abel Caine, Adviser for Communication and Information in the Pacific, Apia Cluster Office said the workshop will assist Palau in improving reporting on gender and specifically on women’s issues as well as identify specific training opportunities for female journalists and a female –friendly work environment.Caine said UNESCO was also here to assist PBS and the Bureau of Domestic Affairs in developing strategic development plan including a website.Caine also said that media organizations can request  UNESCO for media development assistance through the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).Caine stressed that UNESCO can assist Palau in developing an action plan which will promote gender equality in media organizations.He said that the action plan will include the avoidance of negative stereotyping “along the lines of gender, race, religion, ethnicity, language, sexuality, age and class.UNESCO also encourages promotion of gender sensitivity and the use of gender-inclusive language and prohibition of sexual harassment in the work environment.Caine said that UNESCO is specialized agency of the United Nations which contributes to the “building of peace, eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture and communication and information.”The action plan, he said has two objectives which is to decrease the negative portrayal of women in media and increase the career development opportunities for women in media.He added that media organization should also encourage articles that celebrate women achievements and contribution to the society.