UNFPA Iraq and Rudaw Media Network’s “Basics of Journalism” project – a groundbreaking initiative for women’s empowerment – wins key award

In recognition of a remarkable demonstration of innovation and collaboration, the “Basics of Journalism” project spearheaded by UNFPA Iraq in partnership with Rudaw Media Network has been honored with the Stevie® Award for Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program in the Middle East and North Africa region.

This accolade reflects the project’s transformative impact on empowering women journalists, as well as its alignment with the goals of the Equity 2030 Alliance, a global effort to accelerate gender equity in areas including science, technology and financing.

The “Basics of Journalism” project is more than just a training program; it is a groundbreaking initiative that addresses the critical issue of limited access to accurate and ethical journalism training, particularly on women’s issues. The project is designed around three core objectives:

1. Skill development: Equipping participants with essential journalism skills such as investigating, information gathering and ethical reporting.

2. Knowledge building: Providing insights into the UN’s work on population, development and sustainability, with a focus on climate change.

3. Advocacy: Empowering graduates to champion the Sustainable Development Goals, the agenda of the International Conference on Population and Development, and women’s rights.

What sets this project apart is its innovative partnership model: UNFPA and Rudaw Media Network have joined forces, with Rudaw contributing financial resources and leveraging its expertise and network. This collaboration ensures that the training program adheres to global standards and best practices. 

Participants in the program benefit from more than just classroom learning. They also get the chance to tour Rudaw’s media facilities, gaining firsthand insight into the operations of a leading television network. Moreover, those interested in pursuing careers at Rudaw have the opportunity to do initial practical tests and interviews, opening doors to potential employment within the media network.

Partners such as the SEED Foundation, Google News Initiative and Internews have played crucial roles in the project’s success. The SEED Foundation provides vital courses on gender-based violence and ethical journalism, while the Google News Initiative offers support in digital reporting skills and combating misinformation. Internews contributes free courses and introduces participants to grant opportunities for journalism projects.

The project’s success has been recognized on an international scale with the Stevie® Award for Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program, awarded to the project via Rudaw Media Network. The awards panel described the initiative as “a huge step forward and first of its kind for a joint venture between a Middle Eastern media and the United Nations.”

Garik Hayrapetyan, Representative a.i. of UNFPA Iraq, praised the achievement: “This recognition by the Stevie® Awards is a testament to the transformative power of partnerships in advancing women’s empowerment and sustainable development. Through our collaboration with Rudaw Media Network, we are building the skills of women journalists and strengthening their voices to champion issues that matter most to society. This award reinforces our commitment to fostering an inclusive, responsible and dedicated media landscape to drive positive social change in Iraq and beyond.”

Su King, Iraq Deputy Development Director at the British Embassy Baghdad, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to hear that the UK-funded ‘Rudaw and UNFPA Women Training Programme’ has been recognized under the ‘Corporate Social Responsibility – Programme of the Year’ category in the Stevie® Awards this year, receiving the bronze award for the Middle East and North Africa.”

Ali Jaff, Public Relations Manager at Rudaw Media Network, highlighted the significance of the recognition: “The Stevie Award recognition for Rudaw Media Network and UNFPA’s Women Training Program, ‘Basics of Journalism,’ highlights the success of our partnership in promoting women’s empowerment in Iraq. We greatly appreciate SEED Foundation, Internews and the Google News Initiative for their contributions to the project. Rudaw remains dedicated to advancing gender balance in media across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.”

This project exemplifies the Equity 2030 Alliance’s commitment to a women-centric, equitable approach to development. By empowering women through journalism, UNFPA and its partners are not only advancing gender equity in media, but also amplifying the voices of women on crucial issues affecting their communities. The “Basics of Journalism” project stands as a model of innovative, impactful collaboration in the pursuit of social change.