African Women in Media’s (AWiM) seventh conference (#AWiM2023), concluded in Kigali, Rwanda, with the adoption of the Kigali Declaration, a framework on the Elimination of Gender Violence in and through Media in Africa. The conference, which took place on 30 November – 1 December 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda, featured over 60 speakers, 10 panels, three ignite talks, two fireside chats and three workshops all engaging in various topics. 

Themed “Media and Gender Violence”’ discussions were wide-ranging across sub-themes under this, with this theme being our most focused theme since the inception of AWiM conferences in 2017.

The conference ended on Day 2 with a crucial moment where over 200 delegates and representatives from industry, academia, and civil societies, amongst others, raised their hands (and voices) in support of the jointly created Kigali Declaration document, which was put together to help guide best practices on how gender violence is perpetuated and displayed in and through media.

The Kigali Declaration, in principle, includes but is not limited to the following

• Media portrayal and representation of survivors and victims of gender-based violence should be fair, balanced, unbiased and free of gender stereotypes

• Media organisations should increase ethical coverage of all forms of violence against all women and girls regardless of ethnicity, class, ability and other distinctions

• Media organisations and all industry bodies should establish guidelines on all forms of coverage of content on violence against women and girls. They should provide training to foster meaningful implementation and monitoring of the guidelines

• Media organisations, associations and unions should address and combat sexual harassment and other forms of violence in the physical and online media workplace

 The main goal of the AWiM23 conference was to collaboratively create the Kigali declaration on gender violence in and through media as a working solution that might guide media organisations, media practitioners, academics, civil society organisations and media partners and allies in their work towards creating a safe environment in and out of the media. We know that these actionable actions can serve as great agents for change when adapted and applied accordingly.

Follow this link to access the declaration website and join other individuals and organisations who have signed to adopt this declaration in their organisations and practice.