Peace and Security Fellows: Our journey so far

The AWiM/UNESCO Peace and Security journalism programme aims at enhancing the capacity of African female journalists on reporting peace and security. It aims to build the capacity of African women journalists to apply solutions journalism to reporting on women’s issues in peace and security.

The project started by capacity training of selected journalists in solutions reporting of peace and security plus reporting gendered angles of peace and security.

Thereafter, five trainees were selected from the 100 trainees to be mentored as fellows for four months and develop content relevant to the training areas. The fellows usually produce gendered angled stories on peace and security.

Here are some notable quotes from the beneficiaries of the programme:

“I can see myself gaining a valuable career from this fellowship programme and I want to explore important topics on Women, Peace and Security. I aim to identify and bring out the best human interest stories about women, their safety and well-being in Zambia,” says Hope Nyimbi,  the News Editor and Programs Manager with Kokoliko FM Radio in Chingola.

“In the last two months, I must say that I have benefited a lot from this fellowship in a way that I have been able to represent the views of my fellow citizens globally, I have been able to benchmark alongside the works of my colleagues elsewhere in Africa inclusive of Kenya, Nigeria, among others. I have had the opportunity of growing my profession on strict international measures of quality and timeliness. I have enjoyed the privilege of earning $500 a month. I appreciate the enhanced personal and professional support from Janet Otieno, the AWiM News editor, working remotely and thus embracing and walking into the digital age in confidence,” says Patricia Namutebi.

“Being a beneficiary of Peace and Security Fellowship has opened me to know the place of women in ensuring a peaceful and secure society.  It has opened me up to learning and being conscious of the security around me. “Taking care of women brings about a peaceful and secured society,” says Omowumi Bukola Olaseinde.

“I want to appreciate AWiM and UNESCO for this chance, I don’t take it for granted. I didn’t know anything to do with SOJO. The fellowship opened up my mind and make me look more professional in my day-to-day work. My stories address the peace and security challenges women and girls in Kenya face to ensure safe space becomes a fundamental right for everyone,” says Caroline Katana.