The Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Edward Farah Marah, has described the recent release of the Gender Audit Report as a tool for reform for the empowerment of female journalists in the country.
He made the statement at the launch of the Gender Audit Report by BBC Media Action in collaboration with the Media Reform Coordinating Group, on Thursday 12th March 2026, at Country Lodge, Freetown.
“On behalf of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), I am honored to join you today at the launch of this important Gender Audit Report that signifies a significant step towards addressing Gender issues within the media landscape”, he said.
SLAJ Secretary General commended the BBC Media Action and the Media Reform Coordinating Group for their commitment to advancing gender equality in the media landscape of Sierra Leone.
He noted that a report is not just a document. It is a mirror. It reflects both our progress and our shortcomings in ensuring that women’s voices are heard, valued, and represented fairly in our newsrooms and across our platforms. It challenges us to confront the structural barriers, cultural biases, and institutional practices that continue to limit women’s participation in journalism and media leadership.
He noted that “As journalists, we hold a unique responsibility. We shape narratives, influence public opinion, and set the tone for national discourse. If our profession does not embody inclusivity and equity, then we risk perpetuating the very inequalities we are duty-bound to expose and dismantle. SLAJ, therefore, welcomes this Gender Audit Report as a tool for reform and a call to action. We pledge to work with our partners to implement its recommendations whether through training, policy advocacy, mentorship, or institutional reforms. Our goal is clear: a media environment where women and men have equal opportunities to contribute, lead, and thrive”.
He said that the launching mark is not just the presentation of findings, but the beginning of a renewed commitment adding “Together, we can build a media sector that reflects the diversity, resilience, and aspirations of Sierra Leone”.
He concluded, “Together, we stand at a turning point, a chance to transform our shared vision into action, to amplify voices too often unheard, and to build a future rooted in justice and dignity” added