A 'women in news' workshop in Yangon was one of a series in WAN-Ifra's Media Freedom and Democracy programme to be held in Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam with funding from the Norwegian Foreign Ministry.

The event in Yangon brought 45 senior women journalists and editors from across southeast Asia to hear from leading media women about 'breaking through' and taking part in newsroom management training.

It was led by WAN-Ifra Women in News lead trainer Paula Fray.

Nyein Nyein Naing, executive editor of 7 Day News Journal (Myanmar), Chay Hofilena, head of investigative unit for Rappler (The Philippines) and Nguyen Thi Tam, deputy editor in chief of Vietnam Plus (Vietnam), were among panellists who talked about their experiences, motivations and leadership challenges in the industry.

Norwegian ambassador to Myanmar H.E. Tone Tinnes emphasised the longstanding cooperation between Norway and WAN-Ifra on strengthening independent media in the region, which has now extended to gender equality, a priority for Norway.

Pichai Chuensuksawadi, former editor-in-chief of The Post Publishing (Thailand) and retired chairman of WAN-Ifra's Asia Pacific committee, added the organisation's commitment to the event: "WAN-Ifra believes increasing media freedom directly strengthens democracy, transparency and accountability," he said

"We believe in industry-led approaches to help strengthen and support media in emerging and transitional democracies. We also believe that media freedom cannot truly be attained without an equality of voices.

"These three overarching principles have brought us together in the room here today."

The day-long event was modelled on the Women in News programme currently active in 12 countries across Africa and the Middle East through support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

For more information about the programme, contact Melanie Walker, melanie.walker@wan-ifra.org