HDI-Rwanda held the 9th Edition of the Annual Reproductive Health Journalism Awards, where nine journalists were honoured for their coverage of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) stories.

Since its launch in 2016, the annual awards have grown significantly, with the number of applicants increasing from 16 to over 150 this year. A total of 75 journalists recognised to date.

The event, which saw over 150 journalists from various media outlets in attendance, was supported by key partners such as the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), the Swedish Embassy, Amplify Change, the Packard Foundation, and the Generation Gender Program.

The journalists from radio, television, and online were recognised for their outstanding coverage of stories on family planning, maternal and newborn health, safe abortion, HIV/AIDS and other STIs, teen pregnancy, gender equality, and women’s empowerment, as well as sexual health and education among others.

The awards

The overall winner in each category received Rwf800,000 in cash and an HP laptop valued at Rwf900,000 laptop. The First runner-up received a monetary prize of Rwf600,000, while the second runner-up received Rwf400,000. Both the winners of the first and second runner-up positions were also granted a smartphone valued at Rwf450,000.

Television category

In the TV category, the overall winner was Aime Beaute Bushashi from RBA, recognised for her impactful story that explored the tracking of the menstrual cycle.

The first runner-up in this category was TV1’s Dieudonne Nshimiyimana, who reported on the case of a woman who was mistakenly prescribed Anti-Retroviral drugs (ARVs).

The second runner-up was freelance journalist Lucien Kamanzi, acknowledged for his story from Gisagara District, which revealed the dilemma faced by women in financial hardship who are forced to sacrifice time for breastfeeding to earn a living.

Radio category

In the radio category, the top honour went to Anastase Katonda Twizeyimana from Radio Ishingiro for his impactful report exposing the widespread sexual harassment faced by waitresses in bar establishments.

The first runner-up was Jeannette Manizabayo from RC Musanze, who shared a compelling story about an adolescent girl whose vulnerabilities were exploited, leading to an unwanted pregnancy.

The second runner-up was Athanase Munyarugendo from Radio Salus, honoured for his compelling story that explored the realities and challenges faced by sex workers.

Print category

In the print category, the overall winner was Jean-Paul Hakizimana, a freelance journalist for Igihe, who wrote a story highlighting the stigma surrounding children who take their HIV medication at school.

The first runner-up was Jeje Muhinde, a journalist for Rwanda Dispatch, recognised for his insightful article titled "Innovative Game Transforms Youth Sexual Reproductive Health Education in Rwanda”. The piece highlighted an innovative game used by both young and old to enhance understanding of reproductive health.

The second runner-up in the print category was Linda Mbabazi, a journalist for The New Times, honoured for her article titled "When the Baby Pays the Price: Navigating the Rigors of Breastfeeding at Work”, which explored the challenges working mothers face in balancing breastfeeding and their professional responsibilities.

Raising awareness

Speaking at the award ceremony, Prof. Claude Muvunyi, Director General of the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), expressed gratitude to journalists who participated in the competition and acknowledged their dedication to raising awareness about reproductive health.

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

He also emphasised the crucial role media plays in supporting the government’s health programmes while also highlighting the ongoing challenges, particularly the stigma surrounding those living with HIV and the need for continued education.

In his remarks, Dr Aflodis Kagaba, Executive Director of Health Development Initiative Rwanda, commended the expanding role of journalists in covering Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues. He highlighted the impact of journalism as a powerful tool for advocacy and raising awareness on these critical topics.

He acknowledged the growing engagement from media professionals across the country, noting a significant rise in the quality and quantity of entries this year.

"When the competition started, we barely had any journalists applying for the awards. But over time, the number of submissions grew, and the quality of the stories improved. The judges even told me it was difficult to choose winners because the stories were that good,” he said.

Emmanuel Mugisha, Executive Secretary of the Rwanda Media Commission, recognised the challenges many journalists face in covering stories that require extra effort and commended those who have produced impactful stories.

"Many journalists may hesitate to tackle stories that could cause delays or require additional resources, but those who persevered and produced outstanding work have been recognised. This should serve as encouragement for all journalists,” he said.

Mugisha also lauded HDI for its relentless efforts to raise awareness about reproductive health and urged journalists to continue driving change.

"As we celebrate your achievements, remember the ongoing challenge posed by harmful norms. You hold the power to advocate for people’s right to health, and through your stories, you can tackle some of the most pressing issues,” he added.

Entering its 10th year, the HDI Annual Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Journalism Awards seek to engage media professionals in advocacy efforts that improve access to SRHR information and services for all.

They also seek to encourage the use of both traditional media and social media platforms to create spaces for informed, open discussions on these critical issues.