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Call for Papers: African Women in Media 2023 (AWiM23) Conference 

by African Women in Media April 4, 2023 0 Comment

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 For Immediate Release   4th April 2023, Lagos  Call for Papers: African Women in Media 2023 (AWiM23) Conference   Theme: Media and Gender Violence  Kigali, Rwanda    30 November – 1 December 2023    Submission Deadline: 31 May 2023  African Women in Media (AWiM) is pleased to bring you its seventh annual conference, which aims to bring together academia, media practitioners, civil society organisations and policymakers.  With the theme  Media and Gender Violence,  African Women in Media 2023 (#AWiM23) will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, on 30 November – 1 December 2023 as a hybrid conference.     We invite proposals from academia, media practitioners, civil society organisations and policy actors critically engaging with two sub-themes that make up AWiM23.  These are:   Representation of Gender-Based Violence: This refers to how media portray gender-based violence and is not only limited to physical violence but also includes psychological, sexual, conflict, economic and other forms of violence. When biased and inaccurate, media’s representation of gender can perpetuate harmful gender norms and stereotypes, which contribute to the normalisation of gender-based violence. Recent statistics show that gender-based violence remains a prevalent global issue, with women and girls disproportionately affected.     Violence and Women in Media: Women working in media industries have long been subjected to gender-based discrimination and violence. Various reports have highlighted the range of violence experienced by women in media, from verbal and physical violence to sexual harassment, online attacks, intimidation and more. In exploring this sub-theme, AWiM23 aims to identify best practices and gaps in existing knowledge on the range of violence experienced by women in media, as well as potential regulatory and policy interventions at international, regional and national levels.  In view of the above sub-themes, the conference invites abstracts in the following, but not limited to, areas:   

• Media and gender-based violence 
• Sexual harassment  
• Online and cyberbullying/attacks  
• Gender-based violence and mental health 

• Safety of journalists 
• Press freedom and freedom of expression 
• Cyberfeminism 
• Sustainable Journalism 
• Media Ethics 

• Women’s Studies 
• Representation 
• Media Studies 
• Postcolonial studies 
• Audiences 

• Media and trauma 
• Gender Studies 
• Gender Policy 
• Journalism Practice 
• Media and toxic masculinity 

• Intersectionality: race, gender,  media, violence 
• Social media and online violence 
• Culture and gender-based violence 
• Power relations 
• Media literacy 

Proposed formats: 

• Individually submitted papers    
• Panels (max. four individual papers per panel)   
• Workshops   
• Roundtable discussions    

   Guidelines for Submissions:      Please send a 250-word abstract with your name, e-mail address, a brief bio, and affiliation through this form  https://bit.ly/awim2023cfp  by 12 PM (West African Time) on 31 May 2023.   Whilst the event is hybrid for the attendees, all speakers are expected to attend in person.   Panel proposals, fireside chat, Ignite Talks, fishbowl sessions, workshops, and exhibitions are also welcome. These proposals should include a short rationale and brief bios of participants.    Please note that speakers are responsible for their transportation to and accommodation in Rwanda.   -ENDS//         About African Women in Media      African Women in the 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. Our vision is that one-day African women and women working in media in Africa will have equal representation in media industries.  To stay up to date, follow us on Twitter @RealAWiM and subscribe to our newsletter africanwomeninmedia.com/subscription-page/        The AWiM23 conference is guided by an ethos of shared knowledge and best practices and contributes to agendas on the African continent and globally,  namely:       

1. The AU Agenda 2063’s vision for “human security and a sharp reduction in violent crime”. Specifically, Aspiration Six and its goal for “full gender equality in all spheres of life, by strengthening the role of Africa’s women through ensuring gender equality and parity in all spheres of life (political, economic and social), and eliminating all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls”; and,  

1. Pillar 2 (Dignity, security, and resilience) of the African Union Strategy for Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment 2018-2028 highlights that “human security and bodily integrity for women is critical for the attainment of gender equality”.