Speak FM
  Stream radio
Menu
Speak FM
  2. Civil Society
  3. UMWA tasks media managers to curb sexual harassment at work

UMWA tasks media managers to curb sexual harassment at work

1 October 2026, 1:02 pm

A trainer conducting a session during the UMWA training of journalists form Northern Uganda on 29 September 2026 at Pauline Hotel Lira city.

By Agness Agilo

The Uganda Media Women’s Association – UMWA has conducted one-day training on sexual harassment- SH at workplaces for media managers in Northern Uganda.

The training, supported by the Finnish Foundation for Media and Development – VIKES, brought together key decisionmakers (Managers, Editors and Human resource managers) from 8 media houses in Northern Uganda. It took place on 29th September 2026 at Pauline Hotel in Lira City.

Catherine Apalat, the Project Coordinator   said the engagement was geared towards helping media houses develop strategies and guidelines to prevent sexual harassment.
Apalat said the training follows onsite visits to 10 media houses where it was observed that sexual harassment was happening, but no clear policies or mechanisms were in place to handle it.

Apalat Catherine the project coordinator on the parentage of sexual harassment.

She further explained that a study by Women in News found various forms of sexual harassment with varying percentages among men and women, including online harassment.

UMWA Human Rights and Advocacy Officer, Doreen Sampa, said many media practitioners lack basic knowledge on what constitutes sexual harassment, hence the need for the training.

Doreen Sampa on the lack of basic knowledge on what constitute sexual harassment.
A group of media practitioners attending the UMWA training on sexual harassment in media houses on 29 September 2026 in Lira city.

UMWA says it will continue supporting media houses in Northern Uganda to develop and adopt workplace sexual harassment policies to ensure safe working environments for all journalists.