Freetown — Women in the media Sierra Leone, WIMSAL, an association formed to promote the interest of female Journalists, was launched on Friday and Saturday in the regional cities of Kenema and Bo respectively.

Its president Mariama Sesay told journalists that the organisation was formed in November 2007 by a group of energetic young female journalists from both the print and electronic media. The aim was to raise the standard of female media practitioners in Sierra Leone so that they could be able to man strategic positions in their newsrooms.

Sesay disclosed the relevance of journalism as the youth estate, stating that it is an intermediary between the legislative, executive, judiciary and the general public.

"The rights of female journalists have long been trampled upon by senior citizens of the states, including the police. Many people perceive female journalists as dropouts who have joined the media to seek solace. WIMSAL intends to change all negative perceptions about female journalists by showcasing experienced, professional and qualified women who have done tremendously well in developing this nation," she said.

She added that in less than a year her organisation has made exemplary contributions toward national development among them was the organization of an interactive session in February that discussed the law, successes and challenges of women.

She said the session was to give human rights activists and other stakeholders the opportunity to discuss human rights laws as enshrined in the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW) and to create a better understanding of the issue of female genital mutilation.

After highlighting several other recent achievements of WIMSAL Sesay disclosed that despite frantic efforts by the media to fight against human rights violation, female journalists still face widespread violation of their rights both in their workplace and out in the field.

She cited cases of assault on Yvette Cole-Smith and Marie Kamara of the Sierra Leone broadcasting service and the 'We Yone' radio respectively during the recent cocaine saga at the Lungi international Airport.

Alimatu Fofonah of the Exclusive newspaper was also beaten up by police during the APC-SLPP violence clash in Freetown.

"WIMSAL views this action as a violation of Article 19 of the universal declaration of human rights which states that 'everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression'" she said.