CAOIMHE CLEMENTS #WIMBELFAST #IWD2024
Caoimhe Clements and Kirsty King working as part of the WIMB event team for IWD 2024
BY CAOIMHE CLEMENTS in Belfast City Hall
On Wednesday, 6th March, Women in Media Belfast gathered for their annual lunch event in celebration of International Women’s Day.
The event was held within the magnificent surroundings of Belfast City Hall, which served as a powerful congregation of women from diverse backgrounds and ages within the journalism and media industry.
The atmosphere was both empowering and inspiring as individuals exchanged stories, insights and experiences.
From professionals and emerging talents, the event also provided a platform for networking, solidarity and collective reflection.
The event reinforced the importance of women’s voices in shaping the media landscape.
It featured two different insightful panels, each with the aim to offer unique perspectives and discussions.
The second panel centered on disability and diversity.
This helped to shed light on the experiences of journalists, media professionals and others with disabilities.
It provided and created a safe space to help break down barriers, challenge stereotypes and empower individuals living with disabilities.
By amplifying their voices and showcasing their contributions, the panel aimed to foster greater inclusivity and representation within the media industry, ultimately driving positive change.
The panel was led by Amanda Ferguson, co-founder of Women in Media.
The idea for the ‘disability and difference’ panel emerged from an encounter on social media.
Panelist Anna Kane reached out to Amanda's mother on Facebook, sparking a conversation that would ultimately lead to the creation of the panel.
Anna expressed her desire to address the portrayal of disabilities in the media and journalism industry, aiming to dismantle stigma and confront barriers and assumptions.
Together, a panel dedicated to fostering dialogue, raising awareness, and advocating for greater inclusivity and representation was created.
This collaborative approach brought together the power of connection and community in driving meaningful change.
After the event, I had the opportunity to speak with UU student journalist Anna Kane, who enthusiastically described her experience at the event as "great", and expressed that she "loved it."
Anna says her passion is ‘‘being a part of panels and discussing disabilities in the media’’ after wanting to be a journalist since she ‘‘was a young child’’.
Reflecting on the progress made in addressing disability representation, Anna emphasized that there are still significant gaps in the media landscape, underscoring the need for ‘‘better knowledge and understanding.’’
She shared a poignant moment when someone suggested she "heal" her disability, highlighting the misconceptions and challenges individuals with disabilities often face.
Anna describes herself as an ‘‘advocate’’ and stresses the importance of recognising that not all disabilities are visible, recounting instances where she faced judgment and hurtful remarks about her disability.
Despite her nerves when speaking on the panel, Anna found the event ‘‘incredibly inspiring and I felt supported by the inclusive atmosphere.’’
For Anna, International Women's Day holds significant importance, as it serves as a reminder for people to educate themselves on issues which impact women and further to advocate for inclusivity and equality.
When asked what advice she would give someone who has an ability and wishes to pursue a career in journalism or media, she would ‘‘encourage others to pursue their passions and say no to people who try to put you down”.
Anna's resilience and determination to challenge stereotypes and advocate for representation underscored the spirit of empowerment and solidarity that permeated the event.
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