One Economy Foundation hosts media summit and awards
The One Economy Foundation hosted its second media summit and awards on Friday to strengthen reporting on SRH, GBV-F, and mental health. The event provided a platform for journalists, editors and frontline service providers to engage in dialogue and share best practices.Dr Veronica Theron, the foundation’s director of health and wellness, emphasised the media’s crucial role in shaping public perceptions, influencing policies, and fostering a safer society.
Josina Ziyaya Machel, founder of the Kuhluka Movement and a GBV survivor, served as the keynote speaker. She shared her experience of abuse in October 2015, which resulted in the loss of her eye. Machel highlighted how her abuser manipulated the media, health, and law enforcement systems to portray her injuries as accidental. She urged journalists to amplify survivors' voices, emphasizing the media's power in fighting GBV.
“My abuser was declared innocent due to lack of evidence, and to this day, there is no justice,” she said. She stressed that GBV is systematically tolerated and called on the media to act as a tool for justice.
Dr Emma Nghitanwa from UNAM’s School of Nursing underscored that access to SRH is a fundamental right. She encouraged unbiased reporting, noting that misinformation can influence public perception.
During an interactive session, participants discussed their role in addressing SRH, GBV-F, and mental health. Journalists explored strategies for more impactful reporting, emphasizing the need for public education, in-depth coverage, and follow-up reports.
Panel discussion
A panel discussion, ‘Frank Talk: The Realities of Covering GBV & SRH Stories,’ featured journalists Shelleygan Peterson and Paheja Siririka, and social worker Charlene Uakuramenua. They examined the emotional toll of covering sensitive cases and the lack of debriefing or mental health support for journalists.
Clinical psychologist Shasheeda Mberira highlighted self-care and healthy coping mechanisms, urging journalists to seek professional help. Prof Susan Kreston, a UNAM guest lecturer and child protection expert, debunked myths about child sexual abuse and warned against over-reliance on AI in GBV reporting, noting its limitations in representing African contexts accurately.
At the awards ceremony, eight media practitioners were recognized for their outstanding work. Judge Alna Dall reviewed 90 entries from 35 practitioners, praising investigative stories on rehabilitated perpetrators, exploitation cases, and access to SRH services. She noted the need for more statistics and infographics in reports and identified gaps in radio journalism.
“These awards celebrate your dedication to investigating, exposing, advocating, and enlightening,” Dall said. “Our role in upholding human rights is crucial. Continue your important work.”
Winners
• Shelleygan Petersen, The Namibian, winning with Workplaces Fail Nursing Mothers
• Tracy Tafirenyika, The Namibian, runner-up for Police Investigate Students Sex Exploitation
Digital
• Shaun Adams, Queer Pulse Blog, winning with Access to Contraception & Family Planning in Namibia
• Hildegard Titus, Sister Namibia, runner-up with Namibia Decriminalises Sodomy
Radio
• Charlotte Nambadja, Desert Radio, winning with Love Should Not Hurt
• Sirka Simon, Focus FM, runner-up with Chronic Mental Health Issues
Television
• Selima Henock, NBC, winning with Namibia and Angola in Talks Over Plight of Angolan Children
• Elago Shitaatala, NBC, runner-up for In the Community: Voices Against Violence
Fellowship
Speaking on the Media Fellowship Programme, head of communications Ileni Hitula said that through the media summit & awards, the One Economy Foundation has sponsored four journalists with 6-month fellowships at local media houses, where they gained invaluable experience under the guidance of senior journalists, with a focus on SRH, GBV and mental health.
Media houses still have a chance to nominate two young aspiring journalists for consideration. To apply, email the names of their nominees, their CVs and motivation letters to [email protected]