UMWA launches gender media awards

3 October 2025, 4:44 pm

By Byamukama Alozious

The Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA) has launched the Gender Media Awards to recognise journalists who have made significant contributions to reporting on gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health rights, refugee rights, and the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs). According to Nankya Joanita Sanyu, Programme Officer for gender media monitoring at UMWA, these awards come at a critical time in Uganda’s media landscape.

“Every day, journalists across the country share public opinion and influence decision-making through the stories they tell,” Nankya said. “Yet, issues affecting women, girls, and marginalised groups often remain underreported, misrepresented, or reported without sensitivity.”

A 2019 study by UMWA found that 90% of sources for gender-based violence stories were men, while over 90% of survivors were women and girls. This gap highlights how much work remains for the media to amplify women’s voices and report on gender issues with depth, balance, and empathy.

UMWA aims to recognise journalists who have gone the extra mile in reporting stories on gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health rights, and the rights of refugees with responsibility, accuracy, and compassion. The awards seek to encourage journalists to embrace gender-responsive journalism and raise awareness among the public, policymakers, and the media fraternity about the role of responsible reporting in challenging gender stereotypes, influencing attitudes, shaping policy, and protecting rights.

“We want to inspire journalists to see that telling these stories is not just a duty, but a powerful tool for social transformation,” Nankya emphasised.

All journalists in Uganda are eligible to apply for the awards. To participate, journalists need to complete the form via this link https://forms.gle/drFeXzYAxR8Zcipp9 to submit their entries. Journalists from West Nile, Karamoja, Teso, and Rwenzori are particularly encouraged to apply.

The awards ceremony will recognise journalists who have done outstanding work in reporting on these issues. Award recipients will be honoured with certificates and trophies, and their work will serve as a benchmark and inspiration for all journalists in Uganda and beyond. The ceremony is not just about celebration, but about fostering a movement of responsible journalism that prioritises human dignity, equality, and justice.

“We have already received content from specific media houses that we will assess, and we shall publicly recognise the individuals and media houses that have performed best,” said Margaret Ssentamu, Executive Director of UMWA.

UMWA invites all stakeholders, especially the media fraternity, to reflect on how media content can be more sensitive, solution-oriented, and make gender-responsive reporting the norm rather than the exception. Together, we can build a society where the media amplifies the voices of the marginalised, challenges harmful stereotypes, and contributes meaningfully to gender equality and social justice. By recognising and rewarding responsible journalism, UMWA aims to create a positive impact on Uganda’s media landscape and promote a culture of gender-sensitive reporting.

By launching these awards, UMWA is sending a clear message that gender-sensitive reporting matters and that journalists have the power to change lives.

“The media is a reflection of society, and when journalists choose to report with sensitivity and courage, they change lives,” Nankya said.

A tool has been developed and approved by the Global Media Monitoring Project to assess the depth and quality of the stories. This tool will be used to benchmark the stories and determine the winners.