A total of nine journalists have been awarded for their outstanding stories done in 2021 covering different aspects of sexual reproductive health and rights. The awards which this year entered their sixth year attracted different reproductive sector players, development partners as well as government institutions like Rwanda Media Commission, the Ministry of Health and over 100 journalists from a cross section of 35 media houses. The journalists who all fall under the radio, TV and print/online categories were recognised for their outstanding stories that covered family planning, maternal and newborn health, safe abortion, HIV/AIDS and other STIs, teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence as well as sexual health and education. The Winners In the print and online category, the overall winner was Diane Nkusi Nikuze from Umuringa News. Flash FM presenter and Founder of the Mamaurwagasabo Scovia Umutesi scooped the overall prize in the TV category for her documentary film on the hurdles of teen mothers living on Nkombo island. In the radio category, the overall winner was Jean Claude Twagirimana from Radio Salus. The three were each awarded a Rwf 800,000 cash prize and an HP laptop worth Rwf800,000. In the 1st Runner Up print position was Jean de Dieu Akimana from Intyoza Publication for his story which looked into the need for community health workers to advise adolescents in Kamonyi district. TV1’s Fulgence Hakuzuwera also scooped the 1st Runner Up prize in the TV category for his story which tackled the aspect of men’s engagement in their wives’ menstrual cycles. For radio, Rwanda Broadcasting Agency’s Naomi Irakoze Mugaragu scooped the 1st Runner Up award for her story on the rising number of teenage pregnancies in rural areas. The three were each awarded a Rwf300,000 cash prize and a phone worth Rwf450,000. In the 2nd Runner Up position in the print category, the winner was Elias Hakizimana from The Inspirer publication who wrote a story about teens that were impregnated at the height of the Covid-19 period who were yet to get justice. In the TV category, Isango Star’s Gabriel Maniriho won for his feature story on condom kiosks. In the radio category, VOA’s Pierre Claver Niyonkuru won for his feature on the life of teen mothers in Mahama refugee camp. The three were each awarded a Rwf200,00 cash prize and a phone worth Rwf350,000. The Judges The panel of judges was composed of a veteran journalist, Faith Mbabazi, Paul Mbaraga a lecturer at the University of Rwanda School of Journalist, as well as Dr. Anicet Nzabonimpa who is a medical doctor and Reproductive Health Expert. Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of HDI, Dr. Aflodis Kagaba, applauded the members of the media for the hard work that each of the winners put into researching and producing an informative story. He commended all journalists who have worked hard despite the Covid-19 pandemic challenges. “You all were not discouraged by the restrictions that the pandemic put on all of us. You went out there researched your stories, published them and continued to encourage the masses to acquire reproductive health services. We commend you for that effort,” he said. The Executive Secretary of Rwanda Media Commission, a media-self regulatory body, Emmanuel Mugisha, challenged the journalists who were present to select the information they feed the public. “This night aims at celebrating our fellow reporters who take their time to inform, educate and tip the locals on sexual reproductive health, and for that, let me also take the opportunity to challenge you to feed our listeners, viewers and readers constructive and reliable information,” he pointed out. On behalf of the Minister of Health, the Head of Clinical and Public Services in the Ministry of Health lauded HDI for organizing the ceremony, noting that these awards help the ministry in the evaluation of gaps in the reproductive sector. “These outstanding stories help us to evaluate each year, and realise the potential gaps we have to address as policy makers,” he said. Ntihabose reminded that the media has been walking with the government and civil society organisations for over 20 years as both taught about condom use and general HIV and malaria prevention and treatment. “We encourage you to continue doing stories that focus on different vulnerable groups including refugees, widows and orphans and to identify gaps that may need our intervention,” he said. Hans Bretschneider, Head of Rights-based Program who was representing Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)as one of the development partners reminded that cultural and religious beliefs continue to block young people from using contraceptives and negotiating condom-use for fear of being labelled. He pointed out that openly discussing these issues in the media has the potential to normalise the conversations and in the end promote a stigma-free and liberal environment in the country. Running under its sixth edition, the award competition received 148 submissions from 99 journalists based in 35 media houses
