ABOUT AMWIK
WHO WE ARE
Established in 1982, the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) is a national independent, non-profit, membership organization for women in media. Founded prior to the UN Women’s Conference held in Nairobi in 1985, when the voices of women received little or no attention in the media, AMWIK’s vision is to see a society in which the media embraces and promotes equitable development, human rights and women rights. AMWIK’s mission is to use the media to promote an informed and gender responsive society in Kenya and Africa.
AMWIK brings together over 300 women in the media to pull their professional skills in giving visibility to women’s concerns. These members are drawn from different parts of Kenya and work with other media associations and community networks across the 47 Kenyan counties.
AMWIK recognizes that gender inequality and inequity undermine development and that media is a powerful tool for social change and agenda-setting, which we use to create public awareness around key issues affecting women to ensure public support and appreciation.
AMWIK uses advocacy, research, training, coaching & mentorship, publications, storytelling, exchange programmes or visits, media shows, social media, podcasts, community listening sessions, and town hall forums to achieve its objectives.
AMWIK further runs empowerment programmes for women and marginalized communities to effectively enable them to use media to promote their agenda and address issues of concern. The capacity building programmes are further aimed at promoting women’s participation in public policy and decision-making. The pieces of training are designed to help the groups understand how media operates and how to engage and package themselves to attract media attention.
AMWIK focuses on five thematic areas:
- Media development & membership
- Women’s Economic Empowerment
- Sexual Reproductive Health Rights
- Gender and Governance
- Digital Rights and Security
AMWIK focuses on building the capacity of journalists to understand and report on women to promote women’s contribution to the society by disseminating information aimed at changing negative attitudes towards women.
AMWIK embraces networking with other organizations to foster collaboration in areas of media strengthening, gender and governance, peace and human rights, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), sexual harassment, HIV/AIDS, Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH), online violence against women among others. To implement these projects, AMWIK harnesses the skills and competencies of its members in various capacities.
Benefits of being a member
- Eligible to vote/vie for Board positions during Annual General Meetings.
- Reference letters for various opportunities, e.g. jobs, fellowships, and consultancies.
- Training and capacity building through workshops organized for members based on needs assessment and others organized for the media fraternity.
- Representing AMWIK at seminars and meetings organized by partners.
- Contribution to the well-being of society through CSR.
VALUES
Responsibility
We hold each other accountable for delivering the promise of AMWIK and encourage accountability and decision-making at all levels.
Teamwork
We recognize and encourage individual contributions, with everyone working toward the same objectives
Integrity
We always act consistently with our principles regardless of the short-term benefits or external pressures.
Justice & fairness
We evaluate and reward individuals objectively based on their contributions towards accomplishing our mission.
Equity
We treat all persons with fairness and impartiality including all members, staff, partners, and other stakeholders of AMWIK.
Inclusivity
We encourage diversity and work to ensure that all members, staff, stakeholders, and project participants are able to use their voices, participate in decision-making, and are not discriminated against in any way.
Copyright © 2022 Association of Media Women in Kenya. All Rights Reserved | Sponsored by EUROPEAN UNION
