Nominations open for Fatima TV African Youth Media Awards

The African media plays a pivotal role in shaping public opinion, attitudes, and behaviours around important issues such as reproductive health rights. The media landscape is vastly changing and there is a need to explore the upcoming talent among young journalists, activists, bloggers, and social media influencers in bringing these key issues to the fore. That is why their awards will support and shine a spotlight on young and upcoming African voices working in these mediums.

The awards aim to uncover and celebrate the innovative ways African youth are advocating for these topics in their communities and across the continent. In addition, it aims to recognise contributions by individuals in the media that enhance the public’s understanding of reproductive rights and sexual health issues. Particularly on topics that are most difficult to discuss within our societies due to complex societal stigma and legal frameworks that risk the lives of those who speak out.

Addressing these challenges therefore requires a comprehensive approach involving governments, healthcare providers, ​the private sector, civil society, communities, as well as family systems working together to promote reproductive health rights for all.

Categories

• The categories are as follows:
  • Print journalism: Feature/article between approximately 700 and 1,500 words published in a newspaper, magazine, journal or newsletter.
  • Radio journalism: Documentary or discussion programme up to 30 minutes.
  • Television journalism: Documentary or discussion programme up to 30 minutes.
  • Online/new media: Feature/article between approximately 700 and 1,500 words, or audio/visual documentary or discussion programme/podcast between 5 and 30 minutes. This must be published in an online-only newspaper, magazine, journal or media house.

Themes

• They invite submissions that explore themes on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Gender Equity, and African Feminism​ & Masculinities​. Some areas of interest – but not limited to – may include digital health, safe abortions, reproductive justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, intersectionality, child and early forced marriage.

Prizes

• Fatima TV African Youth Voices Awards Grand Prize: USD 1,000
• 2 x Commendation prizes: USD 500 each

Eligibility Criteria

• The award is open to African journalists and activists below 35 years of age living in Africa (for full country list scroll down) and publishing in African-led and African-based media houses or independently via online platforms.
• The competition is open to individual and aspiring journalists and activists and not media institutions or organisations.
• The submission should be your own work and not previously published or submitted elsewhere by another individual or organisation.
• Please note, unfortunately at this stage, they are only able to accept English submissions. They are committed to expand this in the future.
• Submitted pieces that have won awards in other competitions should not be submitted to these awards.

Assessment Criteria

• Submissions will be assessed by an international jury based on the following criteria:
  • Adherence to Theme (5%) Submissions should address the themes of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Gender Equity, and African Feminism & Masculinities. The content should be closely aligned with the competition’s focus areas.
  • Content Quality (15%) Accuracy and relevance of information, credibility and depth of research, and originality of the content.
  • Storytelling (20%) The effectiveness of the narrative, creativity, and engagement of the audience.
  • Innovation (30%) The use of fresh, creative approaches to discuss Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Gender Equity, and African Feminism & Masculinities. Submissions should offer a unique perspective, and present new or existing ideas in a fresh and engaging way.
  • Provocation for Societal Transformation (30%) The capacity of the submission to provoke thought and inspire societal change. Submissions should challenge norms and encourage transformative conversations and actions.

Application Requirements

• Applicants are to submit entries by sharing:
  • Link to the published article/programme for online entries.
  • PDF attachment for entries in the Print Category, stating the date of publication.
  • Copies of the TV or radio files, stating the date and time the programme aired.
  • Copy of identification (please note all copies of identification will be used to verify age eligibility only and shall be destroyed once competition is closed).
  • Submitted files should not exceed 10MB.

For more information, visit Brands on a Mission.