Nine journalists and one twitter influencer have been awarded for their outstanding stories and work done in 2022 covering different aspects of sexual reproductive health and rights. The 7th edition of reproductive health Journalism awards brought together different reproductive sector players and development partners including United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), GIZ Rwanda, PacKard Foundation, Rwanda Media Commission, the Ministry of Health and over 151 journalists from a cross section of 63 media houses. HDI received 191 submissions, an increase from 148 entries from 35 media houses last year. The panel of judges comprised 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. The criteria for outstanding stories include having understood the subject, worthiness and relevancy, raising awareness and education, being unusual story, complying with ethics, research efforts in the story, articulation of the story and the impact among others. The awarding ceremony was entertained by people with disabilities namely visually impaired Lambert Nzigiye commomly known as “ Nzinzi wa Nzigiye) as well as Traditional Dance group “ Deaf Inyangamugayo Group”. The journalists who all fall under the radio, TV and print/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-based violence as well as sexual health and education. The Winners In each category the overall winner was awarded Rwf800,000 prize and Laptop. The second was awarded Rwf600, 000 prize and a Laptop while the 3rd was awarded Rwf400,000 and a smart phone. In the print and online category, the overall winner was Jeanne D’arc Munezero from Panorama. She wrote an article about teen girls from Historically Marginalized People who are sexually violated but their community considers the violence as culture. In this category Thamimu Hakizimana , Journalist from Igihe, emerged as the second. He wrote a story about street teen girls who were impregnated and infected with STIs such as HIV/AIDS in Kigali city. Gabriel Habineza, whose story is about a man who was sexually violated by a woman that is older than him, emerged third . Flash TV reporter, Garleon Ntambara, scooped the overall prize in the TV category for her story on men who embraced vasectomy. He was followed by Yivette Umutesi, from the same media house (Flash Tv), who reported about the woman who shunned family planning and embraced it after giving birth to 10 children. Jean Claude Claude, also from Flash TV, became the third. In the radio category, the overall winner was Anne Marie Niwemwiza from KT radio whose talk show was about sexual reproductive health. Emmanuel Bizimana, from Isango Star emerged the second for the story he wrote about teenagers in controversy with parents about sexual reproductive health. Leontine Ineza, from Energy Radio emerged the 3rd with the story about children born from mothers in prison. Speaking at the event, Joseph Ryarasa Nkurunziza The chairperson of Board of Health Development Initiative-Rwanda (HDI), commended journalists for being dedicated to health reporting. “The journalists are committing to publishing stories that educate people about sexual reproductive health. The awards were initiated in 2016 and over the years we have seen great interest from journalists in reporting about secxual reproductive health and rights,” he said. He said that this year at least 191 submissions were received, an increase from 127 in 2019. “Each year, there is an increase of journalists interested in health reporting,” he said. He said that the published stories have been changing community’s behavior toward sexual reproductive health and rights. “We appreciate journalists for writing about health and participating in the awards,” he noted. Hassan Sibomana, EPI Manager for Rwanda at Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) commended HDI for organizing the awards as well as journalists for their dedication to health reporting. “We commend HDI for advancing sexual reproductive health and rights over the past six years. We thank all partners for their contribution and journalists who have done well in reporting about this sector,” 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. Bernadette Ssebadduka, The program coordinator at UNPFA-Rwanda lauded HDI efforts in advancing the health sector through empowering journalists. She said that the media has the potential to change community behaviors about sexual reproductive health and rights. Running under its 7th th 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.
