Set to take place from November 9th, 2023, the 5th Uganda Media Week Conference, hosted by Media Focus on Africa Uganda, promises an illuminating journey into the future of journalism. Under the theme “Public Interest, AI, and the Future of Journalism,” this conference is poised to revolutionize the landscape of media.
The event will convene a gathering of distinguished experts, influential voices, and industry insiders, fostering discussions around crucial topics. Panel discussions will explore the role of effective reporting in strengthening democratic accountability, creating an inclusive internet environment for women in media, deciphering the implications of AI in the realm of journalism, and confronting online gender-based violence.
Uganda Media Week 2023 is not just a conference; it’s an avenue for transformative conversations and knowledge exchange. Brace yourself for engaging dialogues that offer critical insights into the future of media and journalism in Uganda.
For more information please reachout to us via ruth@mediafocusonafrica.org
The world is observing the 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV). It is an annual campaign that kicks off on the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against women (25th November) and runs until the International Human Rights Day (10th December). This year’s theme is “Activism to end violence against women and girls”. GBV remains a significant challenge in Kenya. According to the KDHS 2014 (the most recent data on GBV in Kenya), 45% of women have experienced physical violence since age 15. 39% of ever married women have experienced spousal physical or sexual violence. In 2021 the Government of Kenya committed to ending GBV by 2026 via a raft of measures including full implementation of GBV laws, increasing funding for GBV prevention and response and integrating GBV services into essential minimum package of Universal Health Care by 2022.
While all these measures are necessary, a less explored factor that could sustainably contribute to reduced prevalence of GBV cases is that of female political representation. According to a 2021 paper by the University of Chile, evidence from Brazil shows that electing female mayors decreased cases of violence, particularly domestic violence committed by partners, by 63%. This is backed up by a working paper series of the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB-WP-1379) which also found that the election of a female House Representative in the USA leads to short term decline in prevalence of femicides in her electoral district.
Here is how women’s political representation impacts on the prevalence of GBV
Female political leaders can help change perception of women in general. Female political representation is likely to improve male views on female’s role in society. When a woman becomes a visible political leader, both men and women change their perception about gender equality. Men may become less likely to commit GBV as a result of more positive views about women in society, fostering changes in gender biased social norms. Evidence from India suggests that long-term exposure to women in office improves perception about female leaders and tends to decrease gender biases.
Evidence from the US suggests that after the election of a female representative, women exhibit greater propensity to complain about harassment and discrimination. Women who are aware of having a female local representative in a position of power may feel more empowered and become more likely to both abandon abusive relationships and to come forward when facing GBV. Also, elected female representatives are likely to exert pressure on the authorities handling of GBV e.g., the police by going to the press or by approaching higher level authorities. We’ve seen Kenyan women MPs hold press conferences to demand action against GBV perpetrators and join in marches against GBV e.g. the #MydressMychoice campaign in 2014.
Policy preferences differ between women and men. A female legislator is more likely than a male legislator to propose and pass bills that deter violence against women and have more active roles on such issues. This was seen in Kenya in 2006 when the then nominated MP Njoki Ndungu (currently a Justice of the Supreme Court) backed by other female MPs championed and led the enactment of the Sexual Offences Act.
As the world observes the 16 days of activism against GBV, it is the right time to interrogate the impact of having more women in elective political leadership on the prevalence of GBV. Based on the cited emerging evidence from Brazil and USA, one of the most impactful and sustainable measures to reduce prevalence of GBV could be greater focus and investment in increasing the representation of women in political leadership.
We had a successful dialogue on GBV in Jinja city. Media Focus On Africa Uganda is using edutainment, media and dialogues to fight GBV against women and girls and to promote women’s rights at the grassroot levels of the most affected communities . With support from Urgent Action Fund, MFA has partnered with ADOVIC , a community based organization for facilitate the dialogues.
On this day, a year ago, we proudly announced Angel Mbuthia as the winner of Ms President. A true embodiment of leadership, grace, and resilience. Her journey continues to inspire us all.
Curious to learn about the tangible impact of our #MsPresident program? Dive into the numbers, stories, and lessons learned in our comprehensive new report. Be inspired by the change driven by women leaders!
Insights From the Recently Concluded Community Dialogues: Over the past few months, a series of impactful community dialogues took place in various counties across Kenya including, Homabay, Kisii, Kericho, Samburu, Embu, Kajiado, and Wajir. Read on below.
📢 Breaking the Silence! Jan Ajwang, our team leader, takes the stage at AWiM23 to discuss "Policies and strategies against gender-based violence in media organizations." Join us in the conversation as we work towards responsible reporting and a media landscape free from GBV. #AWiM23#MediaEmpowerment#EndGBV
Empowering women starts with giving them a voice. MFA is using media to amplify the voices of female journalists, breaking the silence on gender-based violence.
Online Gender Based violence against women means that women don't have the liberty to enjoy the benefits of the internet. As a media house, journalist, editor, - what are you doing t make online spaces safe for women in Media? #16daysofactivism
🎉 Celebrating 5 Years of Media Brilliance at Uganda Media Week! 🎉
As the curtains fall on the 5th edition of Uganda Media Week, it's not just an event's culmination but a reflection on an incredible five-year journey of shaping the media landscape. From its humble inception to the resounding success of this year's conference, Uganda Media Week has evolved into a powerhouse of knowledge, collaboration, and innovation.
🌟 A Journey of Excellence: Five years ago (In 2019), we embarked on a mission – to create a platform where media professionals, thought leaders and enthusiasts could converge, share insights, and chart the course for the future of journalism. What unfolded exceeded our wildest expectations. Each edition has been a unique tapestry of conversations, learnings, and collaborations that have pushed the boundaries of media excellence.
🙏 Gratitude to All Contributors: To the speakers who've graced our stages, your wisdom has been the guiding light illuminating the path of our discussions. To the attendees, your enthusiasm and engagement have breathed life into every session. A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors and partners whose unwavering support has been the bedrock of our success.
🚀 Looking Back, Looking Forward: As we celebrate the past, we also cast our eyes forward. The next five years hold immense promise and potential. We're committed to furthering our impact, pushing the boundaries of media, journalism and innovation, and elevating the voices that matter. The future of journalism is an open narrative, waiting to be written, and we're excited to script it together.
🎤 Join the Movement: Uganda Media Week is not just an event; it's a movement, a community of passionate individuals united by a common purpose – to redefine the narrative of media. As we embark on the journey ahead, we invite you to be a part of this exciting chapter. Your voice, your insights, and your stories are integral to the ongoing evolution of media excellence.
Reflecting on the success of Uganda Media Week 2023 fills us with immense gratitude. Our exceptional speakers, engaged participants, and dedicated sponsors have collectively elevated the discourse on media excellence. I extend my heartfelt thanks to each person who contributed to this transformative event. Your passion and commitment have set a new standard for what's achievable in the realm of media. Let's continue to push boundaries and shape the future of journalism together. #MediaMattersUG
⏳ Time's ticking! Its tommorow!🌟
Media houses, schools, #media owners, public servants and other key stakeholders in the media will be in one place -discussing "Public Interest, Ai & the Future of Journalism" at the #UgandaMediaWeek2023 conference.
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