Vision, mission and values
Vision
IAWRT envisages a global environment where the role and space of women in the media is fully recognized, safe and secure, with freedom of speech without fear of online or offline trolling; where the portrayal and image of women is balanced and fair; and where women have an equal share of positions at all levels in mainstream, digital and community media – and an equal voice as citizen journalists and partners in agenda-setting, dialogue and debate.
Mission
To facilitate this change by supporting all efforts that ensure space for and impact of women in media through knowledge and information sharing; research, advocacy and policymaking; networking and building collaborations; training and capacity building; and enhancing the capabilities of women in media while safeguarding freedom of expression and promoting inclusion and diversity.
Values & Principles
Protecting human rights; safeguarding freedom of expression; ending impunity for crimes against journalists; and supporting gender equality. Our guiding principles: building journalistic credibility and high ethics, and increasing accountability and transparency.
Themes & goals that guide our work
Legal & Enabling Advocacy
Working with key international organizations to:
- Strengthen the enabling environment through recognition of women in media
- Advance freedom of expression – also for women – challenging the status quo
- Revise and pursue the Beijing Platform for Action
- Monitor gender in media – women journalists and sources, newsrooms and management
- Promote the safety of women in and through media: online harassment and cyber-attacks
- Disseminate Women & Safety alerts widely for action
Women & Media Action
Advancing the potential and role of women in and through the media, including:
- Policy support to advance IAWRT’s agenda, including gender policies in media houses
- Documenting “women in the media” nationally and globally – strengths and challenges
- Strengthening community media and empowering communities and their radios
- Strengthening rural women’s access to communication platforms and a voice, including during elections
Media & Film Production and Women’s Film Festivals
Initiating creative women’s production and strengthening women’s capacities:
- Supporting women’s production where it is under pressure – in media and beyond
- Supporting chapters with manuals and online training
- Supporting long documentary and podcast productions about women’s lives
- Organising film festivals and inspiring creative work through IAWRT awards
Global Reach Through Sustained Local Action
Acting on nationally prioritized areas with and through chapters and partners:
- Building chapters’ capacity to function and have impact
- Affiliations with women and media organizations where we don’t have chapters
- Partnerships with academic institutions, e.g. on research
- Engaging in coalitions with international women and media organizations
Sustainability
Securing IAWRT as a useful, powerful, resilient and sustainable organization:
- Social – membership, chapters, brand and communication strategy
- Organisational – a physical secretariat and the staff we need
- Financial – a sustainability strategy, partner mapping and sound financial systems
We can work together
We partner with other organizations in pursuit of our mission. Over the years we have built collaborative relationships in the quest for mutual goals – and we would love to join hands with you to achieve these objectives. Some of our partner organizations are:
Working together for women in media
Have a question or want to partner with us?
We would love to hear from you – reach out to the IAWRT Kenya secretariat.