The Population Reference Bureau (PRB) is inviting applications to its new Women’s Edition-Africa program. Women’s Edition brings together senior-level women journalists—editors, reporters, and producers—to examine important topics related to women’s reproductive health and development.
Women’s Edition offers a unique opportunity to become part of an international network of leading women journalists interested in women’s health and development. PRB will select 10 to 12 women journalists from several low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa to participate in a weeklong seminar and study tour on the continent in April 2017. Successful participants from this group will be invited to another seminar/study tour in 2017, when they will be joined by an equal number of women journalists from South Asia.
During the seminars, the journalists will engage in sessions with health and development experts, editorial meetings to develop strategies for covering these issues, and study tours to see innovative programs in action. Women’s Edition is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and is conducted by seasoned PRB trainers who have been organizing Women’s Edition activities for more than a decade.
Seminars and Study Tours
PRB will host the first seminar for Women’s Edition-Africa in April 2017. It will cover basic population and reproductive health issues, including family planning and obstacles to women’s reproductive health. The purpose of this seminar is to provide journalists with information on reproductive health issues as well as to let them explore how other countries are dealing with the challenges these issues present. Participants will also learn to access and use data.
What Is Expected?
After the seminar and by World Population Day on July 11, Women’s Edition journalists must produce at least one in-depth report or broadcast segment, or a series of stories, for their media house on the issues covered. The seven or eight journalists who produce the best reports will be invited to participate in subsequent seminars and study tours in 2017 with journalists from South Asia to delve further into reproductive health, population, and development issues.
Who Should Apply?
Intrepid women journalists who:
- Report from USAID priority countries on the African continent—the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
- Hold an influential editorial position senior-level editor, reporter, or producer—with a leading media outlet that has a large audience, such as a national or regional newspaper, magazine, or broadcast station. Freelancers and bloggers may apply but must provide a letter of support from a news organization indicating that it will publish or broadcast their work.
- Demonstrate interest in women’s health, development, and population issues and a commitment to covering these topics.
- Can communicate comfortably and effectively in English during the seminars, though they may write or broadcast in any language.
Funding
PRB will cover all seminar expenses, including travel, lodging, and meals.
How to Apply
Click here for the application form. The application form is a Word document. After you open the document, please save it to your own computer before you fill out the application. To be considered, applicants must submit all of the information and material requested. Questions about the program or the application process may be sent to WomensEditionAfrica2017@prb.org.
Deadline
Applications must be received at PRB by January 31, 2017. Participants will be notified by February 15, 2017. Those selected will be asked to submit a letter from their managing editor or director in support of their participation in Women’s Edition. Participation includes commitments to:
- Participate in the seminars.
- Publish or produce at least one special report, a series of articles, or broadcast programs after each seminar on the issues explored in the seminar.
- Send to PRB copies of each report, series of articles, or broadcast program immediately after its publication or broadcast.
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