Centre for Applied Human Rights
Varnetta M. Johnson
Liberia, CAHR, Spring 2013
My name is Varnetta M. Johnson. I am from Liberia. I am a journalist and I currently work for the Liberia Women Media Action Committee (LIWOMAC), the incorporator of the Liberia Women Democracy Radio (LWDR FM91.1), Liberia's first radio station to focus on women. I am also a second year undergraduate student at the University of Liberia, reading Mass Communication as a major and Sociology as a minor.
I have worked on women's human rights issues for the past two years. I presently serve as a specialist reporter covering elections and politics. In my line of duty, I produce special features and documentaries highlighting issues concerning women's political rights and other human rights including informing them about happenings at the national legislature through the radio. My work in this regard is critical to the protection and development of women’s rights, because access to information is a vital means through which women can fight against discrimination in a society that is still patriarchal.
I also file in news reports daily on varied national developments, produce programs and documentaries that mostly highlight issues concerning the rights and protection of women and girls in Liberia, such as domestic violence, health and education. In addition, I produce a regular programme called "Traditional Women Echo" that brings the actual voices of grassroots women to the foreground and highlight their life experiences as a way of exposing the positive and negative impact of tradition and culture on women. I also advocate for the rights of young women and encourage them to be a part of decision-making.
I produce a programme called "Traditional Women Echo" that brings the actual voices of grassroots women to the foreground and highlight their life experiences exposing the impact of tradition and culture on women.
Since Liberian society is a patriarchal one, gender awareness and equality are low on many levels, causing women's issues to remain on the margin, in spite of policies and advocacy. Therefore coming out to advocate for women's rights and equality is challenging, especially where equality for women is perceived as taking away "men's power". Reporting on issues such as female genital mutilation (FGM) has a significant level of risk because traditional leaders strongly hold onto this practice.
In York I am working on a project titled “Gender Equality in Politics: Assessing opportunities for young women's advancement in the United Kingdom”.
The objective of the project is to learn best practices and opportunities to promote the advancement of women in politics on local and national levels. Secondly this project aims to provide a guide to further research information on the impact of policies and actions taken to promote women’s participation in Liberian politics.
Partaking in this fellowship has exposed me to new opportunities and skills that have broadened my horizon on issues undermining the advancement of women and the critical role I can play in promoting gender equality through the media.