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Description
The goal of this project is to enhance the capacity of Feministeerium’s investigative journalism skills. The project involves training Feministeerium editors in investigative journalism and mentoring them in conducting their independent journalistic research. As a result of the project, Feministeerium editors can conduct in-depth analyses in the field of gender equality and equal treatment using investigative journalism skills. The NGO''s overall goal is to create positive changes to the social position of women, sexual and gender minorities with the use of tools of communication, cultural practice and grassroots activism methods. As a result of this project, the capacity of Feministeerium to accomplish this goal in the communication area will have improved.
Summary of project results
The project was needed to enhance the capacity of Feministeerium’s investigative journalism skills. The project involved journalist Laura Mallene training Feministeerium editors in investigative journalism and mentoring them in conducting their independent journalistic research. As a result of the project, Feministeerium editors learned how to conduct in-depth analyses in the field of gender equality and equal treatment using investigative journalism skills. Two long-read articles were published in Feministeerium publication and were published in two biggest papers in Estonia - Õhtuleht (online), Eesti Ekspress (paper and online) and also in Delfi (online):
In Aet Kuusik’s article “A non-transparent system and assessment specialists, i.e. how the Estonian state treats transgender people” (EN), transgender people in Estonia describe their experience with outdated regulation and procedure for gender recognition, the communication problems of a leading specialist and adherence to stereotypes. The article was published in Estonian, Russian and English.
In Kadi Viik’s article “Victims of sexual violence in the vicious circle of the Estonian legal system: trial often seems to take place over the victim” (ET), Kadi Viik describes how sexual violence in Estonia is characterized by total concealment, why cases do not even reach the police procedure or are closed and instead of a victim-friendly criminal justice system, the trial often seems to take place over the victim. The article was published in Estonian and Russian.
The project contributed to improving the professional skills of Feministeerium editors, which helps to increase the impact of Feministeerium: to improve the credibility of the organization, to influence officials and to advocate change. The focus of the activities was two human rights issues: the rights of transgender people and victims of sexual violence. The editors use the acquired new knowledge and skills on a daily basis in their everyday work, i.e. they are sustained and developed through practice after the end of the project. Investigative journalist research handbook and the necessary structures for the work in the form of team members and established networks support sustaining the results as well.