Nine journalists have been awarded for their outstanding coverage of various Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights stories in 2023.

The 8th Edition of the Annual Reproductive Health Journalism Awards brought together different reproductive sector players and development partners including Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), AmplifyChange, Packard Foundation, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA-Rwanda), Rwanda Media Commission (RMC), and over 150 journalists from a cross section of media houses.

HDI-Rwanda, which organises the awards, says that it received 225 submissions this year, an increase from 191 last year.

The panel of judges comprised a veteran journalist, Faith Mbabazi, Paul Mbaraga a retired Lecturer who formerly worked with the University of Rwanda School of Journalism, as well as Dr. Anicet Nzabonimpa who is a medical doctor and Reproductive Health Expert.

The criteria for outstanding stories include comprehension of the story topic,- relevance, potential to raise awareness and educate, uniqueness of the story angle, compliance with ethics, research efforts, articulation, and the story impact among others.

The journalists who all fall under the radio, TV and online categories were recognized for their outstanding stories that covered family planning, maternal and newborn health, safe abortion, HIV/AIDS and other STIs, teenage pregnancy, gender equality and women empowerment, as well as sexual health and education.

The Awards

In each category, the overall winner was awarded Rwf800,000 cash prize and a laptop worth Rwf800,000. The First Runner-up was awarded Rwf600,000 cash prize while the Second Runner-up was awarded Rwf400,000. Both the winners in the First and Second Runner-Up positions were each also awarded a smart phone worth Rwf400,000.

Television Category

In the TV category, the overall winner was TV1’s Valens Dushimumuremyi whose story tackled the challenges around family planning in Ruhango district and the resulting infanticide issue.

The First Runner-up in this category was Yago TV’s Naomi Irakoze Mugaragu whose story explored the challenges raised by women in Nyamasheke district around conceiving while using family planning.

The Second Runner-Up in the TV category was Yusuf Ubonagenda from TV10 whose story chronicled the challenges of teenage pregnancy through a first-hand account of a 13-year-old teenage mother.

Radio Category

In this category, Germaine Umukazana from Kigali Today emerged the Overall Winner. Her story sought to raise awareness around the challenges faced by minors who are victims of sexual abuse.

Radio Ishingiro’s Emmanuel Gatarama emerged First Runner-Up with his story about a man who has embraced family planning and chosen to raise awareness around the role of men in child spacing.

The Second Runner-Up slot was won by Valens Hagumimana from Energy Radio who discussed challenges around family planning in Rubavu district.

Print Category

In the print category, the Overall Winner was Diane Nikuze Nkusi from Umuringa News. Her story touched on the role of sex work and its connection to the spread of HIV.

Ubumwe journalist Marie Louise Mukanyandwi’s story on a phone application that supports women to avoid unwanted pregnancies scooped her the First Runner Up award while ‘The Bridge’s Mediatrice took home the 2nd Runner-Up award for her story on the value of breastfeeding spaces at the workplace.

Closing information gaps

Speaking at the award ceremony, the Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC). Prof. Claude Mambo Muvunyi acknowledged the key role that the media plays in supporting the government in implementing its health programs.

"The media supports our programs through closing the knowledge gaps, dispelling misconceptions, and empowering communities with accurate and transformative information. Your commitment to ethical reporting and your courage in confronting complicated issues serve as the foundation for positive social change,” he said.

The Deputy Country Representative for UNFPA-Rwanda, Renata Tallarico reminded those present that working with journalists is impactful especially if it is about Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights topics.

"What we know is that journalism holds an extra-ordinary power. You are agents of change, catalysts for progress and voices for the voiceless. Your dedication to shedding light on SRHR issues is instrumental in advocating for the rights and wellbeing of all individuals especially women and children” she said.

However, she reminded the members of the media to use such occasions to reflect on the value of responsible journalism, reminding them of the ethical professional duty to ‘do no harm’.

Significant coverage

Addressing the guests, the Executive Director of Health Development Initiative (HDI-Rwanda), Dr. Aflodis Kagaba highlighted the rising engagement of journalists in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights story coverage.

He emphasized the noticeable surge in entries spanning HIV, SRHR, and inclusion and significant rise in entries, this time beyond Kigali City but from all the regions across the country.

"Speaking on behalf of our partners, I would like to express our gratitude to all the members of the media. Your dedication to your craft significantly eases our work. By initiating conversations and fostering meaningful dialogues, you play a key role in raising awareness. Your efforts are truly invaluable,” he said.

Public interest journalism

The Executive Secretary of the Rwanda Media Commission (RMC), Emmanuel Mugisha told the participants that his institution has recently kicked off efforts dedicated to advancing public interest journalism.

"Sadly, reproductive health and general health stories often fall by the wayside in media coverage, largely due to limited resources and insufficient support. Witnessing such consistent initiatives that inspire and uplift the media in these areas is immensely valuable to us,” he said.

Running in its 8th edition, the award competition is aimed to increase media reporting on sexual and reproductive health and rights, encourage media to create more spaces for informed conversations on sexual and reproductive health and rights, SGBV and human rights, involve journalists in advocacy to improve access to sexual and reproductive health and rights information and services for all.