To celebrate International Safe Abortion Day on September 28, 2024, FMP is set to host a Media cafe aimed at addressing media-driven abortion stigma in Uganda. The event will bring together 23 selected journalists and editors from leading media houses in Uganda.
The media cafe will serve as an open platform to engage the media on the role they play in shaping public discourse around abortion and the impact their coverage has on women’s access to safe abortion care. The event’s sessions will also explore ways to transform values and attitudes toward rights-based reporting on abortion.
Scheduled to take place on 4th week of September 2024, at Arirang Hotel in Kampala, the Media cafe will feature discussions led by Sexual and Reproductive Health activists and media professionals who will present the facts, share case studies of Ugandan media coverage on abortion, and propose strategies for more balanced reporting. The event will also include a panel discussion with experts who will share experiences of working with the media, building collaborative efforts, and highlighting the media’s potential to drive positive change. Journalists will have an opportunity to voice their perspectives, challenges, and needs to improve their coverage of abortion-related issues.
The cafe aims to unlock constructive conversations on abortion, reduce the stigma around safe abortion care, and cultivate a new generation of media champions who are committed to driving rights-based reporting. By unlocking an open dialogue and building rapport with media practitioners, FMP hopes to influence the narrative surrounding abortion in Uganda and promote safer sexual and reproductive healthcare outcomes for women and girls.
