The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) have on Thursday awarded its first batch of local female journalist certificates in media management qualifications from WITS University after they completed Women in News (WIN) training programme last year. The six, who ranked from long serving senior journalists to editors who among others include The Voice editor in chief Emang Bokhutlo, former Midweek Sun Editor Boitshepo Balozwi who is now pursuing a postgraduate qualification in the United States and Weekend Post Assignment Editor Francinah Baaitse, were fingered as part of an elite group of media women from across the Southern African region who will benefit from this highly regarded media leadership programme.“The graduates are already reporting improvements and growth in both their personal and professional life since joining the programme,” said local publisher Beata Kasale, who also sits in WAN-IFRA steering committee. When awarding the graduates their certificates, long time gender activist and the current Minister of Basic Education, Dr Unity Dow applauded WAN-IFRA and the local media industry for being proactive in empowering women in an otherwise male dominated industry.According to Dr. Dow, it is programmes such as this one which will ensure that women are judged on merit…