Let’s talk about environment!

We have a new baby on this block and that is AWiM/UNEP African Environment Journalism Programme. This means we are going to have an environmental beat which is underpinned by the African Green Stimulus Program and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

There is a lot going on especially after Covid-19 pandemic disrupted many aspects of our lives. According to UNEP, “The ripple effects of the largescale worldwide disruption brought about by the pandemic are expected to continue for many years to come. It is envisaged that the COVID-19 pandemic will affect Africa’s ability to manage and use the environment and natural resources far into the future.”

Already, a lot of conversations are revolving around environmental degradation. You do not have to scale Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to witness melting glaciers or cross over to Uganda’s Mabira Forest to witness deforestation to remind you that environmental crisis is real.

What many may not know is that destruction of environment adversely affect women and girls as it leads to scarcity of resources. Such situations create conflicts leading to gender based violence and exploitation. Unfortunately, there is no much in-depth coverage on the gendered aspects of environmental issues and when such are reported, journalists usually focus only on event related topics.

Therefore, they only scratch on the surface meaning vital issues are left out. This is why AWiM is going to tackle in-depth environmental issues across Africa right from your own countries. These close to home reports from our own backyards would perhaps bring the realization that we need to be on the frontline for sustainability cause as journalists so that we leave better planet for the future generations.

I hope you enjoy this new beat as we take a walk around our planet for the next six months! Click here to find out how to pitch stories to this programme https://africanwomeninmedia.com/the-network/write-for-us/.

Janet Otieno

Editor, AWiM/UNEP Africa Environment Journalism Programme