African Women in Media (AWiM)

AWiM26 is happening in Windhoek, Namibia! Date: 3–4 Dec 2026 Theme: POWERING WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP: Media, Economics & Governance. Submit your proposals & join the conversation on women shaping media, power & governance in Africa. • Deadline: 30 Apr 2026 Submit here: bit.ly/awim-cfp26 #AWiM26 #callforpaper #opencall #research

This #AfricaDay, AWiM is #NotWaiting for systemic progress; we are actively investing in our advocates, leaders & media professionals. On May 31st, we unveil Super Early Bird Tickets for our landmark 10th Annual Conference in Namibia (3–4 Dec 2026) under the theme: Powering Women’s Leadership: Media, Economics, and Governance. Expect exclusive access & exceptional rates. Stay tuned! #AWiM2026 #AfricanMedia #WomenInMedia

AWiM, @WimsalSalone , @institute_press, and EmpowerHer hosted The Policy Gap: Identifying Barriers to Ratification, exploring gaps between policy and the realities of women in media. @DrYemisi Akinbobola, Lobna Msilini, Eastina Taylor-Tucker, @NonoMhizha, and Dr Nancy Nalova called for stronger implementation beyond frameworks. @CrownTVZambia_ was recognised under the Kigali Declaration on the Elimination of Gender Violence in and through Media in Africa by 2034 for implementation, led by Mwape Zulu Kumwenda and team. Watch: youtu.be/FJ3KSeFuxDA Sign: africanwomeninmedia.com/declaration/ #PolicyGap #WomenInMedia #MediaSafety #AWiM #KigaliDeclaration

If you’re ready to move from just working in media to actively shaping its future alongside the brightest minds on the continent, this is your sign to join us. AWiM community is waiting for you. • Become a member now: bit.ly/AWiMmember #AWiM #MediaDev #WomenInJournalism #Networking

AWiM is more than a membership, it is a community of practice where ideas are exchanged, skills are strengthened, and collaborations are built. Step into a space that supports your growth and connects you to opportunities across Africa’s media landscape: bit.ly/AWiMmember #membership #AWiM #mediadev

The right expert can shape conversations and drive meaningful impact. With 230+ women experts across diverse fields, SourceHer is helping journalists, organisations, and media professionals connect with credible expert voices across Africa and beyond. Among them is @DrThoko_Khupe, contributing valuable insight to gender and development conversations across the continent. Connect with women experts in media, governance, health, business, technology, education, and more. Sign up to SourceHer today and connect with women experts across diverse fields: sourceher.com #SourceHer #fyp #GenderAndDevelopment #mediadev

Reported ≠ resolved. For women journalists, online violence doesn’t end when it’s reported. In the age of #AI, this violence is scaling fast with little to no accountability. New EU-funded research by @UN_Women shows what’s at stake: unwo.men/b4O650YWISt #ACTtoEndViolence

Policies exist, but protection depends on action. As reflected by Eastina Taylo-Tucker, Nompilo Simanje, and Dr. Nancy Nalova, the gap remains in enforcement, accountability, and real safety for women journalists. This is exactly why the Kigali Declaration matters. Sign the Declaration: africanwomeninmedia.com/declaration/

Policies alone are not enough without implementation and accountability. At our webinar, The Policy Gap: Identifying Barriers to Ratification, speakers stressed the urgent need to move from commitments to enforcement, strengthen newsroom safety, and ensure real protections for women journalists across Africa. Key reflections were shared by @EastinaTaylor3, @NonoMhizha, and Dr. @NancyNalova. In alignment with the Kigali Declaration on the Elimination of Gender Violence in and through Media in Africa by 2034, we remain committed to advancing safer, accountable, and gender-responsive media systems. Sign the Declaration: africanwomeninmedia.com/declaration/ #AWiM #WomenInMedia #MediaSafety #KigaliDeclaration

Women-led media in Africa cannot grow on assumptions. We need data and we need your voice. If you run or are building a women-led media business in Africa, complete this important survey by African Women in Media. Your insights will help shape policy reform, funding access, and stronger ecosystem support. Take the survey now: bit.ly/awimmediamap Your voice matters. Participate today. #WomenInMedia #AfricanWomenInMedia #mediadev #MediaEntrepreneurship

Protection without resources is just theatre. In Episode 57 of Her Media Diary, @DrYemisi Akinbobola unpacks 5 key realities from CSW70 in New York, from failing justice systems to rising digital violence, and why commitments on gender equality must move beyond performance to action. Listen/watch to this episode: Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/her… Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/20vGwAmZR… YouTube: @AfricanWomeninMedia" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">youtube.com/@AfricanWomeni… More: hermediadiary.com #CSW70 #hermediadiary #mediadev

Happy Birthday, Dr. Yemisi Akinbobola ! Your leadership continues to shape spaces where African women in media are seen, heard, and empowered to lead. Through your vision, selfless commitment, and ability to build powerful collaborations with people and partners, you have driven meaningful change across the continent. Your impact is far-reaching and cannot be fully captured in words, but it is deeply seen and appreciated. #AWiM #Happybirthdaydryemisi

Today, we celebrate a visionary leader, mentor, and changemaker whose impact continues to shape lives. The AWiM team came together to share our gratitude and reflect on the profound impact your leadership, wisdom, and encouragement have had on us. Thank you for continuously inspiring us to grow, lead boldly, and believe in the power of our voices, while creating pathways for African women in media to thrive. Wishing you a day filled with joy, love, and celebration, and a year ahead of continued success, peace, and fulfilment. Happy Birthday @DrYemisi Akinbobola #AWiM #Mentorship #Impact #HappyBirthdayDrYemisi

Press freedom is strongest when every journalist can work without fear. This #WorldPressFreedomDay, @AMWIK and @crownTVzambia, joining other organisations across Africa, are taking action by signing the Kigali Declaration on the Elimination of Gender Violence in and through Media in Africa by 2034. Because a truly free press must also be safe, equal, and inclusive. Be part of the movement: africanwomeninmedia.com/declaration/ #WorldPressFreedomDay #KigaliDeclaration #mediadev

If you’re a woman building in media, this is for you. From film to podcasts to creative tech, women are shaping Africa’s media future but access to funding, mentorship, and support still lags. AWiM’s Innovation & Investment Lab + Pitch Zone Accelerator is here to change that. Take the survey. Shape what comes next: africanwomeninmedia.com/innovation-inv… #WomenInMedia #MediaEntrepreneurs #mediadev #workersday

African Women in Media a besoin de vous. Pas seulement de votre temps, mais de votre vérité. À travers l’Afrique, des femmes construisent des entreprises médiatiques, souvent contre vents et marées. Aidez-nous à rendre ces réalités visibles grâce à notre enquête. Participez ici : bit.ly/awimmediamap #AWiM #FemmesDansLesMédias #Entrepreneuriat

Nompilo Simanje: highlighted that while international frameworks are essential, real impact depends on local-level implementation. She stressed that without this, policies risk existing only on paper, failing to protect women journalists facing harassment, job loss, and retaliation. #pressfreedom

Dr. Nancy Nalova: emphasised that effective policy must be grounded in implementation and proximity to the people it is meant to serve. Without strong local enforcement, even well-designed frameworks risk becoming symbolic rather than protective. #policygap

In the webinar The Policy Gap: Identifying Barriers to Ratification, Eastina Taylor-Tucker noted that many women journalists facing harassment are increasingly turning to digital platforms to speak out, share their experiences, and assert their voices outside traditional media gatekeeping. The key question now is how policy frameworks evolve to protect women in these shifting digital spaces?

Happening live: The Policy Gap: Identifying Barriers to Ratification webinar, featuring a compelling case study. The discussion highlights the experience of a woman journalist who, after sharing a video of a public town hall incident involving the harassment of a citizen questioning government officials, became the target of online threats, intimidation, and coordinated harassment. What began as digital backlash escalated into sustained attacks, professional retaliation, and ultimately the termination of her employment. Engaging and insightful conversations are currently ongoing. Join the session here: us06web.zoom.us/j/84364506111?… #pressfreedom #policygaps

Across Africa’s media landscape, the imbalance is structural. Women make up ~1/3 of the journalism workforce but remain underrepresented in leadership, and hold only ~20% of legislative roles globally (@UNESCOEU). AWiM26 in Windhoek focuses on powering women’s leadership, media economics & governance. This is a call for work that challenges systems, not just describes them. 24 hours left: bit.ly/awim-cfp26 #AWiM26 #CallForPapers