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MAKANATI

MY PLACE IN MEDIA

map-of-iraq-outline-silhouette-of-iraq-map-illustration-RGHNM1_edited.jpg

Iraq
media and
training centres

map-of-yemen-outline-silhouette-of-yemen-map-illustration-RGHPC1_edited.jpg

Yemen
media and
training centres

Since 2020, Aide Humanitaire et Journalisme - AHJ has been leading the Makanati project – My Place in Arabic – which aims to strengthen the role and visibility of women in the media in Iraq and Yemen, two countries grappling with profound political, social, and security challenges. In these contexts, women journalists often face invisibility, limiting stereotypes, multiple forms of discrimination, and unpunished violence, all within inadequate or insufficient legal frameworks.

In partnership with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the French media development agency CFI, and local partners, AHJ has implemented this programme to deliver training, foster solidarity, and increase visibility for women journalists and students from diverse regions.

In September 2020, AHJ and CFI conducted a study on the status of women in the media in Iraq and Yemen, gathering nearly 200 women journalists to exchange on the challenges they face and their specific needs.

This dialogue culminated in the “Makanati” Seminar, a series of four sessions held on Zoom in French, Arabic, English, and Kurdish. The exchange marked a turning point, paving the way for the creation and launch of the Makanati project.

The Makanati project was designed to address the identified barriers through a comprehensive programme combining training, mentorship, and networking, with the goal of enhancing women’s visibility and influence in the media sector.

Drawing directly from the discussions and priorities identified during the seminar, AHJ designed a tailored curriculum addressing the diverse needs and profiles of women journalists across the region.

The programme includes six key modules:

Specialised Journalism
and Leadership

For beginner and emerging journalists, focusing on thematic specialisation and leadership skills to facilitate their entry into a challenging media landscape.

Opinion Writing
on Gender and Equality

Workshops to strengthen the ability to defend ideas through engaged opinion pieces, raising awareness and promoting freedom of expression.

Media Project Management
and Editorial Leadership

For experienced journalists, focusing on creating, managing, and sustaining newsrooms, including financial management, team leadership, and editorial planning.

Security Culture and Protection
of Women Journalists

Raising awareness of best safety practices, journalists’ rights and responsibilities, and legal protections locally and internationally to ensure physical and psychological safety.

Investigative Journalism on Human Rights and Gender

In-depth methods for investigating human rights violations, with a particular focus on women’s issues and gender equality, producing rigorous and impactful reports.

Cybersecurity and
Digital Risk Management

Training on specific online threats, tools for protection against cyberattacks, and managing the psychological impacts of virtual harassment.

200

The Makanati project trained more than 200 women journalists and journalism students from across Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and Yemen, significantly strengthening their editorial, technical, and leadership skills.

This initiative led to a notable increase in gender-sensitive media production, with content highlighting women’s rights and challenges gaining greater visibility in local outlets.

In February 2021, the project launched an independent media platform dedicated to publishing content produced by women, creating a lasting space for their voices and perspectives

Through targeted advocacy and awareness-raising activities, including seminars, debates, and training sessions, the project helped sensitise government institutions in Iraq to issues of gender equality and women's rights.

Professional networks were expanded at both national and regional levels, laying the foundation for a sustainable community of women journalists committed to peace, human rights, and equality.

Participants also benefited from specialised training on physical safety and digital risk management, improving their ability to navigate threats in challenging media environments.

Today, the Makanati platform remains active and continues to serve as a valuable space for women journalists in Iraq, Yemen, and the wider region. It is now entirely coordinated, managed, and supplied by former beneficiaries of the project, who are now skilled professionals and leaders in their fields. This transfer of responsibility ensures the project’s sustainability, strong local grounding, and lasting impact.

As part of AHJ’s ongoing work in Iraq and Yemen and its objective to further develop the Makanati platform, AHJ is leading new editorial activities within the framework of the Qarib project and Voix des Femmes Sans Frontières VFSF - Women Voices Without Borders initiative.

These include the production of in-depth feature articles, addressing local socioeconomic concerns, youth participation, and governance in Baghdad province and Central Iraq.

Voix des Femmes Sans Frontières

VFSF

Qarib Project

MAKANATI SEMINARS

Presentation of the Seminar

Women and Media in Iraq and Yemen

Presentation of the Makanati project

Women Journalists and Discrimination

Women & Leadership in the Media

MAKANATI

A media platform created and led by women for women

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AHJ

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Iraq
media and
training centres

Yemen
media and
training centres

In partnership with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the French media development agency CFI, and local partners, AHJ has implemented this programme to deliver training, foster solidarity, and increase visibility for women journalists and students from diverse regions.

In September 2020, AHJ and CFI conducted a study on the status of women in the media in Iraq and Yemen, gathering nearly 200 women journalists to exchange on the challenges they face and their specific needs.

This dialogue culminated in the “Makanati” Seminar, a series of four sessions held on Zoom in French, Arabic, English, and Kurdish. The exchange marked a turning point, paving the way for the creation and launch of the Makanati project.

The Makanati project was designed to address the identified barriers through a comprehensive programme combining training, mentorship, and networking, with the goal of enhancing women’s visibility and influence in the media sector.

Specialised Journalism
and Leadership

Opinion Writing
on Gender and Equality

Media Project Management
and Editorial Leadership

Security Culture and Protection
of Women Journalists

Investigative Journalism on Human Rights and Gender

Cybersecurity and
Digital Risk Management

200

Presentation of the Seminar

Women and Media in Iraq and Yemen

Presentation of the Makanati project

Women Journalists and Discrimination

Women & Leadership in the Media

They Supported Us

HOME

TRAINING

FORUM

AHJ

NEWS

EVENT

DONATE

AHJ

NEWS

Iraq media and training centres

Yemen media and training centres

In partnership with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the French media development agency CFI, and local partners, AHJ has implemented this programme to deliver training, foster solidarity, and increase visibility for women journalists and students from diverse regions.

Presentation of the Seminar

Women and Media in Iraq and Yemen

Presentation of the Makanati project

Women Journalists and Discrimination

Women & Leadership in the Media

They Supported Us

NEWS

Iraq
media and
training centres

Yemen
media and
training centres