AWiM partners with UNESCO to champion adoption of the Kigali Declaration in newsrooms in Africa

PRESS RELEASE

6 NOVEMBER, 2024

African Women in Media (AWiM) is delighted to announce the launch of the UNESCO IPDC-funded programme, “TRAKD: Developing Tools and Resources towards adoption of the Kigali Declaration in newsrooms in Africa.’’This two-month programme will be in collaboration with UNESCO under the IPDC framework. Through International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), UNESCO works to create a supportive environment for media development, critical dialogue, and media independence.

“We are pleased to work with UNESCO on this important programme which aims to strengthen capacities of media stakeholders on Generative AI and Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TF-GBV). Through it we will share best practices for adopting the Kigali Declaration on Elimination on Gender Violence in and through Media in Africa by 2034.“ Said Dr Yemisi Akinbobola, Co-founder and CEO, African Women in Media.

The program will feature eight in-depth living training sessions with over 60 participants, including journalists (editors, reporters, and producers) and content creators from at least ten countries. Key training areas include:

1. Information Literacy:Raising awareness of  Generative AI and TF-GBV , as well as the intersections of gendered violence in these new media forms.
2. Capacity Building: Strengthening technical  internal and external capacities to combat online and offline violence against women in media.
3. Knowledge Sharing: Sharing knowledge of collaborating on best practices and policy implementation against TF-GBV

“While technological innovations like ChatGPT offer gains in productivity, UNESCO’s study ‘Your opinion doesn’t matter, anyway’ shows that generative AI has increased the potential avenues for technology facilitated gender-based violence faced by women and girls online.” Ms Misako Ito, UNESCO Regional Advisor for Communication and Information in Africa

The programme will kick-off at the African Women in Media conference in Dakar, Senegal on 5-6 December, with a specialized workshop for journalists and content creators.

About African Women in Media

African Women in Media (AWiM) is a network for African women working in media industries globally. We aim to positively impact the way media functions in relation to women, and our vision is that one day African women and women working in media in Africa will have equal representation in media industries.

Visit our website: https://africanwomeninmedia.com/

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About UNESCOs International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)

UNESCOs International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) is the only multilateral forum in the UN system designed to mobilize the international community around media development through promoting media development within developing countries, countries in transition, and countries in conflict and post-conflict situations. It provides support for media projects while seeking accord to secure a healthy environment for the growth of free and pluralistic press.

https://www.unesco.org/en/international-programme-development-communication