The Kigali Declaration on the Elimination of Gender Violence in and through Media in Africa by 2034 is an action plan setting a minimum standard for all stakeholders that impacts how media functions concerning African women and how gender-based violence is discussed in media. An international and multi-stakeholder committee drafted the Declaration between September and November 2023, and participants at the African Women in Media 2023 Conference held in Kigali reviewed and contributed to the final draft on December 1, 2023.
The final version of the Declaration was completed by the Committee led by Dr Sarah Macharia in January 2024.
Organisations, Associations, Regulators and Individuals are invited to adopt the Kigali Declaration, thereby pledging their commitment to improve how media functions regarding Gender Violence.
Dr Yemisi Akinbobola is an award-winning journalist, academic, consultant and co-founder of African Women in Media (AWiM). AWiM’s vision is that one-day African women will have equal access to representation in media. Joint winner of the CNN African Journalist Award 2016 (Sports Reporting), Yemisi ran her news website IQ4News between 2010-14. Yemisi holds a PhD in Media and Cultural Studies from Birmingham City University, where she is a Senior Lecturer. She has published scholarly research on women’s rights, African feminism, and journalism and digital public spheres. She was Editorial Consultant for the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 commemorative book titled “She Stands for Peace: 20 Years, 20 Journeys”, and currently hosts the book’s podcast. She speaks regularly on issues relating to gender and media. In 2021 she was recognized as one of 100 Most Influential African Women.