Photojournalism award and resource hub

PRESS RELEASE: AWiM, AUC and GIZ launch Agenda 2063 Women’s Photojournalism Award and Resource Hub

For immediate release

Lagos, Nigeria, 13 April 2021 – African Women in Media (AWiM), in partnership with the African Union (AU) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, have launched the Africa Photojournalism Award and Resource Hub. The competition, which has seven categories, invites African photojournalists to submit images that creatively and artistically address the topic of the future in Africa.  

“It is an honour for us to launch this kind of award that recognises African photojournalists who have captured motifs that give us a new narrative about the future and development of Africa,” said Dr Yemisi Akinbobola, Co-founder & CEO of African Women in the Media (AWiM).  

“Capturing images that represent our beautiful continent is part of the many ways we can change the narrative of Africa, we are pleased to work with GIZ and AWiM on this important project,” said Leslie Richer, Information and Communication Director for the African Union Commission. 

The photojournalism training programme will consist of three courses delivered via AWiMLearning, and will feature self-paced training, and live mentoring sessions with trainers. 

“We are complementing the awards with a training programme and research into the lived experiences of photojournalists in Africa, so that industry, civil society organisations, and policymakers know exactly how to support them,” said Dr Akinbobola. 

The initiative, including the photojournalism competition, courses, research and other resources, will support African photojournalists who are doing important work. 

“As a close implementing partner of the African Union, we are delighted to join the Photojournalism Competition and Resource Hub initiative. This is a unique opportunity to support photojournalists from all over Africa in their important work. By giving representatives of this essential profession visibility; understanding their challenges – especially when it comes to conflict reporting – and by involving them in our joint areas of collaboration, we aim for a holistic and inclusive approach to sustainable development and peace on the continent which remains at the core of German international cooperation,” said Dr Inge Baumgarten, Director of GIZ Office to the African Union. 

The competition is open to photojournalists from across Africa with entries expected to go through an initial vetting process by a team of seasoned judges.  Winners for each category will be awarded $2,000 and announced at a virtual award ceremony on 31 May 2021.  

For competition rules and how to enter, visit: Agenda 2063 Women’s Photojournalism Awards 

To stay updated on this initiative, kindly follow @RealAWiM on Twitter. 

For more information contact: 

felista@africanwomeninmedia.com 

About African Women in Media: 

African Women in Media is an international non-governmental organisation for African women working in media industries anywhere in the world. Our aim is to impact positively the way media functions in relation to African women. We do this through our annual conference and awards, research, training, media content and partnerships. Our vision is that one day African women will have equal access to representation and opportunities in media industries and media content. 

www.africanwomeninmedia.com  

About African Union 

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). The main objectives of the OAU were to rid the continent of the remaining vestiges of colonisation and apartheid; to promote unity and solidarity amongst African states; to coordinate and intensify cooperation for development; to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states and to promote international cooperation. 

About Silencing the Guns Initiative 

Silencing the Guns is the flagship project Agenda 2063 which aims to end all wars, civil conflicts, gender-based violence, violent conflicts, and prevent genocide. The AU declared the month of September of each year until 2020 as the African Amnesty Month for the surrender and collection of illicit arms and light weapons. 

About Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) 

As a service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work, we are dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world. We have been working with the AU at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, multiple departments of the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), and the AU’s regional organisations, specialised institutions and member states since 2004. Our common goal is to strengthen management capacities and enhance coordination and efficiency between the continental, regional and national levels of development. The GIZ-AU partnership is rooted in the AU’s vision and strategic framework for inclusive growth and sustainable development: The Agenda 2063. The seven core aspirations of the Agenda 2063 are designed to accelerate Africa’s growth and development, while simultaneously contributing to the achievement of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).