UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) has launched the Henriette Eke media competition 2023 edition on the theme “Ending gender-based violence in the DRC”. The launch ceremony took place on June 13 at IFASIC (Kinshasa), in the presence of the Minister of Communication and Media.
Journalists working for print, online, radio and television media in the DRC can submit their productions by September 30, 2023 by following the instructions that will be posted on the various UNFPA digital accounts. The competition aims to encourage media professionals to work to inform and raise awareness among the population and decision-makers on issues relating to the population and the fight against gender-based violence in the DRC.
Eugène Kongnyuy, UNFPA Country Representative, stressed the importance of the media’s contribution to informing and raising awareness on population issues. The Henriette Eke competition is a UNFPA initiative to encourage journalists to produce quality material that can contribute to the reduction of gender-based violence in the DRC.
The jury will be composed of media professionals and an expert from the Ministry of Gender, Family and Children responsible for evaluating the media productions submitted by the candidates. The competition is organized for the best media production to encourage media professionals to work ever harder to inform and sensitize the community and decision-makers on issues relating to the population and the fight against gender-based violence in the DRC.
Minister Patrick Muyaya encouraged journalists to offer the best of their efforts to produce quality elements to contribute significantly to the reduction of gender-based violence in the DRC. He also congratulated UNFPA for this initiative which he encourages to perpetuate.
The contribution of the media in the fight against gender-based violence is important, because the Democratic Republic of Congo has always been confronted with situations of violence and discrimination. However, it is important to note that the media are often accused of being partisan and giving information that lacks credibility and reliability. The Henriette Eke media competition is an initiative that will undoubtedly allow the DRC media to gain credibility and reliability with the population.