AWiM is calling for pitches that will call attention to the gendered aspect of environmental issues in Africa.

African Women in the Media (AWiM) is a network for African women working in media industries anywhere globally. It aims to positively impact the way media functions in relation to women, and its vision is that one day women of African heritage will have equal representation in media industries.

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African Women in the Media Story Idea

• It is particularly interested in in-depth stories that explore environmental solutions with a focus on any of the 12 elements of the African Green Stimulus Program.
• Journalists could also highlight the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on ecosystems, biodiversity, conservation, waste management, and other issues related to the broader ecological challenges in Africa which affect women.
• Pitches that focus on stories that have not been widely covered are preferred. Similarly, topics that have widely been covered are less likely to be selected.

Journalists commissioned to produce stories will have access to training by AWiM. These are Solutions Approach to Environmental Reporting, produced in partnership with the Solutions Journalism Network. Moreover, the focus will be on story slices and story forms].

Benefits

Also, note that the commission fee is USD 100 per story.

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Eligibility

• Applicants must be women journalists based in Africa. Applicants can be from any country in Africa.
• The application must be in the English language.
• Applicants must either have a working understanding of English or be able to translate their work.
• Pitches are open to women journalists working in any medium (e.g. online, print, television, radio, etc.) and other media practitioners with a history of covering the environmental beat.
• Pitches from freelance reporters and staff from all types of media organizations – international, national, local, and community-based are encouraged.

Where you are staff of a media organization, please indicate in your pitch if your organization would like to co-publish your story. Moreover, ten pitches will be selected each month, so if you do not hear from us, do not be discouraged.

The story format

AWiM expects to award 60 story grants in total for the duration of the project. While out on the field, ensure that women’s voices are well captured, and observe all safety measures. Where requested, access to our safety for journalist training can be provided.

Each story must be accompanied with quality pictures, be verified, fact-check and also go through the usual journalistic scrutiny

Where your story is republished in your affiliated media, this must be with your byline and indicate at the end that it is produced as part of the AWiM/UNEP Africa environmental journalism program.

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How to pitch

All pitches must be no more than 250 words. It should highlight the key issue you want to focus on, why it is relevant to the program, the extent to which it is under-reported, and what the gender angle is. Also indicate why you are the right person to report it and the access you already have.