In line with the African Union theme for the year 2021, “Arts Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want,” the Information and Communication Directorate (ICD) of the African Union in partnership with, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) joined forces to recognise African female photo journalists through the. Agenda 2063 Women’s Photojournalism Award.

The competition was borne out of the need to tell Africa’s story and change the narrative about the continent’s development through the use of audio-visual media, especially pictures which have the power to reflect everyday life experiences and are a valuable tool for storytelling. The Agenda 2063 Women’s Photojournalism Award aims to tap into the artistic and creative aspects of journalism to portray Africa’s diversity, rich heritage and cultural diversity and the economic development and social transformation of the continent being led by Africans.

The Agenda 2063 Women’s Photojournalism Award was given in the following categories:

• Agriculture, Rural Environment, Land Rights and Development
• Regional Economic Integration, Transport and Information Infrastructure
• Good Governance, Human Rights, Justice and the Rule of Law
• Silencing the guns in Africa: Conflict prevention, transformation and mediation
• Youth & Women: Africa’s research excellence and innovative solution building
• Democracy and digitalisation

Over 180 African women photo journalists submitted entries for the competition. The winners were awarded a cash prize of US$2000 each, alongside free advanced training in photojournalism as well as mentoring sessions with professional trainers.

The inclusion of training as a component of the competition was based research carried out in 2020 across 17 countries in Africa which reported findings from women in the field of journalism who highlighted how their male counterparts were given preferential treatment for certain roles, trainings and conferences. (Source. AWIM). The training was coordinated by the African Women in Media (AWIM) organisation, which has provided training for 100 journalists as part of the photojournalism competition.

On behalf of the Director of Information and Communication, the AU Commission, Mrs. Leslie Richer; Mrs. Wynne Musabayana the AU Head of Communications, emphasised that the photojournalism event is in line with the AU theme for 2021; Arts, Culture & Heritage: Levers of Building the Africa We Want. “Whether simple or complex, a good photograph can tell the story of a thousand words, photographs capture a moment in time and history, and also have the power to transport one to faraway places.”

Ms Julia Wenkowitsch, Component Manager for Strengthening Advisory Capacities for Land Governance in Africa (SLGA) project at GIZ said, “photography speaks to humans on a level that a text can’t, and we all need the perspective of females in media. We also need them to serve as role models for the incoming generations”.

Winners:

• Agriculture, Rural Environment, Land Rights and Development : SAFIYYA DABA, a Nigerian photojournalist. Ms Daba’s which was taken in Kano, Nigeria demonstrated the realities of agricultural practices in rural areas and the role children play in agriculture.
• Regional Economic Integration, Transport and Information Infrastructure: VANESSA CHEBET, a video producer from Kenya, whose work demonstrated how solar power is providing energy that enables people to stay connected to the rest of the world
• Good Governance, Human Rights, Justice and the Rule of Law: ARLETTE BASHIZI from the DRC. Ms. Bashizi’s story was inspired by people living with disabilities and the incredible things they do showcasing their resilience, determination and courage.
• Silencing the guns in Africa: Conflict prevention, transformation & mediation:MIRIAM WATSEMBA a photojournalist from Uganda whose entry aimed to bring to the forefront the realities of refugees and internally displaced persons affirming that their stories go beyond the statistics and numbers of refugees and that war extends beyond the physical or visible damage it causes.
• Youth & Women: Africa’s research excellence and innovative solution building:  FARDOSA HUSSEIN a documentary photographer and videographer based in Somalia. Her work aimed at showcasing the power of women and girls seeing themselves in non-traditional roles and the power of technology in giving women the voice to change the African narrative”.
• Democracy and digitalization:  SHIRAH PAUL MUKAMA a photojournalist from Uganda. Her entry was inspired by how access to technology such as mobile phones can change people’s world view and enhance their knowledge.

Whether simple or complex, a good photograph can tell the story of a thousand words