AMWIK educates, sensitizes and empowers community members on their reproductive health rights, creates awareness on menstruation rights for young girls, trains journalists on writing gender-responsive stories and publicizing issues such as Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), teenage pregnancies, early marriages, education for all, creating awareness on sexual harassment and much more. This is achieved through advocacy harassment and much more. This is achieved through advocacy and establishing the right partnerships
Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) PartnershipThe Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) and Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) Kenya have been instrumental in addressing the pervasive issue of sexual harassment within the media industry. Both organizations have taken significant steps to create safer workplaces, advocate for policy reforms, and empower media professionals, particularly women, to combat gender-based violence and inequality in their field.
One of the most significant achievements of AMWIK and JHR Kenya has been the establishment of a Sexual Harassment Committee within media space to oversee compliance with anti-harassment policies and provide a safe channel for reporting incidents. The committees are tasked with receiving and investigating complaints confidentially, offering psychological and legal support to victims, and monitoring the implementation of sexual harassment policies.
To further their mission, AMWIK and JHR Kenya have worked closely with media organizations to help them adopt and implement sexual harassment policies. They have developed model policies that outline clear definitions of sexual harassment, reporting mechanisms, and disciplinary actions. Through sensitization workshops, they have educated media managers and HR departments on the importance of these policies and how to enforce them effectively.
15 media houses in Kenya have now adopted sexual harassment policies, and victims are increasingly willing to report incidents. However, challenges remain, including cultural stigma and resistance to change in some organizations.
Are you a media house that would like training on adopting a Sexual Harassment policy? Get in touch with us through info@amwik.org.
FEMNET STITCH ProgramThe STITCH Program, implemented in partnership with FEMNET , represents a transformative initiative aimed at advancing gender equality and women’s rights across Africa. The STITCH Program, which stands for Strengthening Transformative Feminist Movements in Africa, has enabled AMWIK to amplify the voices of women and girls, challenge harmful cultural norms, and advocate for gender-responsive policies. Through this partnership, we have worked to strengthen feminist movements, empower women leaders, and create lasting change in communities across Kenya and beyond.
One of the key achievements of AMWIK’s involvement in the FEMNET STITCH Program has been the empowerment of women in media. Through targeted workshops, training sessions, and mentorship programs, AMWIK has equipped female journalists and media practitioners with the skills to report on gender issues sensitively and effectively. This has not only improved the quality of media coverage on women’s rights but has also challenged stereotypes and biases that perpetuate inequality. By leveraging our media platforms, AMWIK has raised awareness about critical issues such as gender-based violence, reproductive rights, and economic empowerment. These efforts have mobilized public support, encouraged more women to speak out, and fostered a culture of accountability and change.
In addition to media empowerment, AMWIK has made significant strides in advocacy and policy influence through the STITCH Program. We have engaged policymakers at both national and regional levels, ensuring that women’s voices are included in decision-making processes. Our advocacy efforts have contributed to the development of gender-responsive policies and frameworks that address the unique challenges faced by women and girls. Furthermore, AMWIK has strengthened feminist movements by fostering collaboration among grassroots organizations, creating a unified front to tackle issues such as gender-based violence and political underrepresentation.
Urgent Action Fund AfricaAMWIK in partnership with Urgent Action Fund Africa, engaged in the 16 days of activism to give maximum visibility to GBV in various forms such as FGM and unpaid care, We continue to hold extensive discussions to discuss access to justice for victims and survivors of GBV
Tackling Sexual Harassment in the media-KMSWGThe Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) has been a pivotal force in advocating for gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the eradication of sexual harassment within the Kenyan media sector. As a member of the Kenya Media Sector Working Group (KMSWG), AMWIK has played a critical role in addressing systemic issues that disproportionately affect women in media, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and gender-based violence.
Within the KMSWG, AMWIK has been at the forefront of championing policies and initiatives that promote a safe and inclusive working environment for all media practitioners, particularly women. The KMSWG, a coalition of media stakeholders, aims to strengthen the media sector by addressing challenges such as ethical reporting, media freedom, and gender equality. AMWIK’s involvement has been instrumental in ensuring that gender-specific issues, such as sexual harassment, are prioritized on the agenda.
AMWIK has consistently advocated for the adoption of gender-sensitive policies within media organizations, including the establishment of clear reporting mechanisms for sexual harassment cases, the implementation of anti-sexual harassment training, and the creation of safe spaces for victims to seek support. Through its participation in the KMSWG, AMWIK has worked to influence sector-wide change, ensuring that media houses take proactive steps to address and prevent sexual harassment.
A significant milestone in AMWIK’s work within the KMSWG was the Maanzoni Declaration, a landmark agreement reached during the 2019 Kenya Media Sector Working Group meeting held in Maanzoni, Kenya. The declaration was a collective commitment by media stakeholders to address pressing issues within the sector, including sexual harassment, gender inequality, and the safety of journalists.
Under the Maanzoni Declaration, AMWIK was specifically mandated to lead initiatives aimed at eradicating sexual harassment in the media industry. This mandate recognized AMWIK’s longstanding expertise and commitment to gender issues and its ability to mobilize stakeholders toward meaningful action. AMWIK was tasked with developing and implementing strategies to raise awareness about sexual harassment, provide training for media managers and employees, and advocate for the adoption of anti-sexual harassment policies across media organizations.
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Men engagement ProgramThe Men Engagement Program is a pioneering initiative by the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) that seeks to transform media spaces into safer, more inclusive environments by engaging men as champions of gender equality. Recognizing the critical role men play in shaping societal norms, the program focuses on creating male allies within media houses who can advocate for and protect their female colleagues while also raising awareness among fellow men. By fostering a culture of respect and equality, the initiative aims to address gender-based discrimination and harassment in the workplace, ensuring that women in media can thrive without fear or barriers.
Since its inception, the program has established chapters in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa, bringing together men from diverse media backgrounds to participate in workshops, training sessions, and advocacy campaigns. These chapters serve as hubs for dialogue and action, equipping men with the tools to challenge harmful stereotypes, promote positive masculinity, and actively support their female counterparts. Through these efforts, the program has successfully cultivated a network of male champions who are committed to driving change within their organizations and communities.
The impact of the AMWIK Men Engagement Program continues to grow, with participants taking on leadership roles to advocate for gender-sensitive policies and practices in their workplaces.
Creating Safer Workplaces in Media- UNESCO and AMWIK Partnership
The Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), in partnership with UNESCO, has embarked on a transformative journey to address sexual harassment and promote safer workplaces for women in the media industry. This collaboration, supported under UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), aims to empower journalists, foster gender equality, and cultivate a conducive environment for professional growth.
Key Initiatives
Documentary: Speak Out Against Sexual Harassment in Kenyan Media: The film serves as a tool to raise awareness and build capacity among community media workers across seven counties. It underscores the alarming statistic that one in two women journalists in Kenya has faced harassment, often to silence them in male-dominated spaces.
Training Female Journalists: Over 60 female journalists from community media outlets have benefited from specialized training sessions focusing on online and offline safety. These workshops aim to equip participants with skills to navigate workplace challenges while advocating for anti-sexual harassment policies. The training also fosters solidarity among survivors and encourages reporting of cases.
Men’s Café Project: AMWIK introduced the Men’s Café initiative to sensitize male journalists as allies against sexual harassment. Through dialogue sessions, male champions are encouraged to support gender equality and actively participate in creating safe work environments.
Awareness Campaigns targeting community media outlets to enhance understanding of workplace safety issues. These initiatives focus on empowering journalists with tools to report harassment while advocating for systemic change.
BRIMEA Project
The BRIMEA (Building Resilience in Media Ecosystems Across) project, initiated by the Thomson Reuters Foundation (TRF) in partnership with the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), is a significant initiative aimed at addressing critical issues within the media landscape, particularly focusing on gender-based challenges such as sexual harassment. This collaborative effort seeks to empower media professionals, especially women, by fostering safer and more inclusive work environments while promoting ethical journalism practices.
One of the key milestones of the BRIMEA project was the launch of two pivotal reports on sexual harassment in the media industry. These reports shed light on the pervasive nature of sexual harassment within media organizations, highlighting the challenges faced by journalists, particularly women, in their workplaces. The findings underscored the urgent need for systemic changes to address these issues, including the implementation of robust policies, awareness campaigns, and support mechanisms for survivors.
The first report, titled “Unsafe Spaces: Sexual Harassment in the Media Industry,” provided a comprehensive analysis of the prevalence, forms, and impact of sexual harassment in media workplaces. It revealed alarming statistics and personal testimonies, emphasizing the need for accountability and cultural shifts within the industry. The second report, “Breaking the Silence: A Framework for Addressing Sexual Harassment in the Media,” offered actionable recommendations for media organizations to create safer environments. These included establishing clear reporting mechanisms, providing training on gender sensitivity, and fostering a culture of zero tolerance for harassment.
The launch of these reports marked a turning point in the conversation around sexual harassment in the media sector, not only in Kenya but across the broader BRIMEA region. By partnering with AMWIK, TRF ensured that the project was grounded in local expertise and context, enabling the development of tailored solutions that resonate with the realities of media professionals in the region.
The BRIMEA project, through its research and advocacy efforts, has played a crucial role in raising awareness, driving policy changes, and empowering media workers to stand against harassment. It represents a vital step toward building a more resilient and equitable media ecosystem, where journalists can work free from fear and discrimination.
