Violence Against Women And Girls Reporting Project 2025: Training, Funding, And Mentorship For Female Journalists

About the Violence Against Women and Girls Reporting Project

The Violence Against Women and Girls Reporting Project is now open for applications. This initiative, now in its second year, is organized by African Women in Media (AWiM) in collaboration with the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF). The program is designed to build the capacity of female journalists reporting on gender-based violence, providing specialized training and financial support to enhance their investigative journalism skills. The program targets journalists in Burkina Faso, Benin, and Togo, with a focus on ethical and impactful reporting.

Eligible Fields

Participants in this program will receive training in the following key areas:

AI, Digital Security, and the Future of VAWG Reporting – Exploring the impact of artificial intelligence and digital security in gender-based violence reporting.
Feminist Approaches to Reporting on VAWG – Understanding gender-sensitive journalism practices and theoretical frameworks.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Reporting on VAWG – Addressing the psychological challenges of covering violence against women and girls.

After completing the training, five journalists from each country will be selected to conduct in-depth investigative reporting. These selected journalists will receive USD 5,000 for their reporting projects and ongoing editorial mentorship through a monthly writing workshop.

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be female journalists residing and working in one of the following countries:

Burkina Faso
Benin
Togo

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be a female journalist living and working in Burkina Faso, Benin, or Togo.
Have a minimum of three years of experience in journalism, with a specialization in reporting on gender-based violence or VAWG-related issues.

Be employed by a media organization or affiliated with an editorial team and provide proof of approval from their editor to participate in the program.
- Freelancers must secure a letter of support from a media organization willing to publish their work.
Be fluent in English or French, both written and spoken.

Submit a 150-word research proposal that:
- Is directly related to violence against women and girls.
- Clearly outlines the angle, form, deadline, and context of the proposed investigation.
- Is an original piece of work (reprints will not be accepted).
- Has not been accepted for publication elsewhere.
Demonstrate commitment to completing all aspects of the training and adhering to program guidelines.

Previous participants of the 2024 Reporting on VAWG program are strongly encouraged to apply.

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be evaluated based on:

Originality and impact of their research proposal.

Journalistic experience and specialization in gender-based violence reporting.
Commitment to the training and investigative project.
Proficiency in English or French.

Editorial support from their media organization.

Benefits of the Violence Against Women and Girls Reporting Project

Selected journalists will receive:

Specialized training in AI, feminist journalism, and PTSD in reporting.

A USD 5,000 grant to support their investigative journalism project.
Editorial mentorship through monthly writing workshops.
Opportunities to network with experienced journalists and experts in gender-based violence reporting.

Professional development support to enhance their career trajectory in gender-sensitive journalism.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should follow these steps:

Prepare a 150-word research proposal related to violence against women and girls.

Secure approval from their editor (or provide a support letter for freelancers).
Ensure fluency in English or French.
Complete the application process via the official website.

For more details and to apply, visit: Official Website