UNESCO publication on Media and Violence against Women and Girls to be launched in Canada

The Canadian Commission for UNESCO and the French Embassy in Canada are jointly launching the UNESCO publication “Reporting for Violence against Women and Girls: A Handbook for Journalists” on 4 February 2020, at the premises of the French Embassy in Ottawa, Canada.

The launch will feature a panel discussion followed by an open question session. Opening remarks will be given by H.E. Kareen Rispal, Ambassador of France, Sébastien Goupil, Secretary-General, Canadian Commission for UNESCO and by Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne.

The ensuing panel will consist of three prominent women who in their respective area are active leaders in the promotion of the human rights of women: Michèle Audette, Assistant to the Vice-Rector and Senior Advisor in Reconciliation and Indigenous Education, Nasreen Rajani, PhD Candidate and Course Instructor, Communication and Media Studies, Carleton University, and Giselle Portenier, Award-winning Journalist and Filmmaker.

The Handbook was first published in November 2019 and launched at the 40th General Conference of UNESCO, at the Organization’s Headquarters in Paris. It consists of informative and actionable guidelines for media organizations and professionals on how to cover gender-based violence, and provides information on specific forms of violence against women and girls, as well as general recommendations and examples on good practices when reporting on the topic.