The International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) is a global nonprofit professional organization of women working in electronic media, Technology, and allied media. It is a powerful global network of media practitioners, with an international board and a growing number of chapters (14) that serve to tackle issues at local country levels. IAWRT strives to meet the urgent global challenges faced by women in and around the media.IAWRT Kenya chapter has over 100 members spread across media houses and other like-minded organizations. It received its charter to operate as a local chapter in 2005. One of our core objectives is to support the professional development of members through exchange of ideas, experiences and technical knowledge which in turn is utilized as media skills to ensure that women’s concerns, views and values are an integral part of electronic programming.
ACTIVITIES
- Gender Mainstreaming in and through the Media
- Thematic Research
- Capacity building (Women and girls )
- Coaching and Mentorship
- Women’s Rights Online
- Women Empowerment
- Networking
Vision.
IAWRT envisages a global environment where the role and space of women in the media is fully recognized, is safe and secure, ensure 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 the mainstream, digital and community media. Furthermore, IAWRT envisions a world where women have an equal voice, and space in community media (rural and urban), as citizen journalists and equal partners in agenda-setting, dialogue and debate.
Mission.
IAWRT’s mission is to facilitate the change and transformation described in its vision by supporting all efforts for ensuring the space for and impact of women in media through knowledge and information sharing; research, advocacy and policymaking, networking and building collaborations and cooperation; training and capacity building; enhancing capabilities of women in media while safeguarding freedom of expression- including freedom of the press and promoting inclusion and diversity in media.
Values and principles.
Protecting Human Rights; Safeguarding Freedom of Expression; Ending impunity for crimes against
journalists; Supporting Gender equality.
Our guiding principles: Building journalistic credibility and high ethics; Increasing accountability and transparency
Strategic Themes & Goals
LEGAL, ENABLING ADVOCACY – Engaging in the international debate, pushing boundaries
- Working with key international organisations.
• Strengthen the enabling environment through recognition of women in media
• Freedom of expression – also for women – challenging the status quo
• Revision and pursuance of the Beijing platform
• Gender media monitoring – women journalists and sources, as well as in newsrooms and management
• Safety of women in and through media: Online harassment, cyber-attacks: protecting women, websites, media
• Women & Safety alerts are disseminated widely for action
WOMEN & MEDIA ACTION – to advance women’s role, voice & visibility globally
2. Advance the potential and role of women in and through the media, including:
• Overall policy support to advance IAWRT’s agenda, including Gender policies in media houses
• Documenting ‘women in the media’ nationally, globally: strengths, challenges (database)
• Strengthening community media – empowering communities and their media/radios
• Strengthen rural women’s access to communication platforms and having a voice
• Strengthen the way media advances women’s causes and visibility, including during elections
MEDIA / FILM PRODUCTION & WOMEN’S FILM FESTIVALS
3. Initiate and facilitate creative women’s production and strengthen women’s capacities
• Identify and support where women’s production is under pressure – in media and beyond
• Support IAWRT chapters: e.g. manuals & online training to strengthen women’s role in media
• Support Long Documentary and podcast productions about women’s lives
• Organise film festivals
• Inspire women’s creative production including through IAWRT awards
GLOBAL REACH THROUGH SUSTAINED LOCAL ACTION
4. Action on nationally prioritized IAWRT action areas with and through chapters and partners
• Work with Chapters to build their capacity to function and have impact.
• Affiliations with Women & Media organisations in countries where we don’t have chapters.
• Partnerships with academic institutions [e.g. Research]
• International Partners: Engage in coalitions, partnerships with women and media organisations
SUSTAINABILITY
5. Continue to work to secure IAWRT as a useful, powerful, resilient and sustainable organisation
• Social – membership – chapters – brand and image (communication strategy)
• Organisational – physical secretariat – hiring needed HR – JDs – recruit staff when possible
• Financial – financial sustainability strategy and partner mapping. Outcome areas from financial resilience and sustainability plan: (i) IAWRT International is financially sustainable. (ii) Skills and capacities of IAWRT regional chapters have strengthened; (iii) A financial system is in place.