30th October 2026
For Immediate Release
NAIROBI / KAMPALA / ADDIS ABABA / DAR ES SALAAM — Women in media organizations from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Tanzania have officially established the East African Women in Media Alliance (EAWIMA). This regional platform is designed to enable the participating organizations to work collectively on issues affecting women in media and strengthen regional cooperation.
The founding coalition brings together four premier national media associations: Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), Uganda Women in Media Association (UMWA), Ethiopia Women in Media Association (EMWA) and Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA).
The formation of EAWIMA follows a series of discussions among representatives of the participating organizations on the need for a structured regional collaboration. During the follow-up discussions, members voted to adopt the name East African Women in Media Alliance (EAWIMA), noting that it broadly represents the regional nature of the collaboration.
The participating organizations have also voted on an initial leadership structure comprising of the Executive Directors of the Associations as below:
The leadership structure is proposed to be rotational, allowing participating countries to take up different positions within the alliance over an agreed period of between one and three years.
Speaking during the launch, Queenter Mbori, Chairperson noted that “For far too long, women in the media across East Africa have fought identical battles in silos. By pooling our strength across borders, we are building an unshakeable shield for safety and a powerful amplifier for women’s voices.”
As EAWIMA transitions into a fully operational regional body, the alliance is actively formulating its core governance documents. Key priorities include drafting a regional Constitution, comprehensive workplace safety policies, a strategic plan, a resource mobilization framework, and a unified Code of Conduct to set regional standards for media houses.
By solidifying this regional network, EAWIMA aims to advocate for policy reforms within media organizations, build solidarity networks for female journalists at risk, and ensure that women’s leadership and human rights are central to the media landscape in East Africa.
“EAWIMA is a powerful step toward a stronger regional voice for women in the media. By working across borders, we can amplify women’s voices, strengthen leadership and safety, and turn shared challenges into collective solutions.” — Dr. Rose Reuben, Executive Director, TAMWA
Signed:
Queenter Mbori,
Chairperson,
East African Women in Media Alliance (EAWIMA)
