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IAWRT Awards 2025

Lifetime Achievement Award

DR. INGE VON BÖNNINGHAUSEN (Germany)

We are proud to honor Dr. Inge von Bönninghausen, a German national and dedicated feminist, with IAWRT’s Lifetime Achievement Award. A committed member of IAWRT, Inge, now 87 years old, has made significant contributions to the organization, including serving on the AWRT Board.

A veteran journalist, Inge has spearheaded campaigns focusing on women’s lives, reporting on issues such as work, health, sports, sexuality, violence, culture, politics, and international women’s concerns. She produced the first women’s political television programme on German TV and is one of the last remaining veteran IAWRT members who researched and co-authored the IAWRT History Book.

Inge has consistently demonstrated her dedication to IAWRT by bringing the Biennial Conference to Cologne in 1986 and to Berlin in 2001—both before the establishment of IAWRT chapters in 2005—and by actively engaging in IAWRT activities over the years.

Her recent work with the organisation includes volunteering as a member of the three-person IAWRT Archives Committee, which aims to centralise the organisation’s globally scattered archival materials.

A pioneer in the German television landscape and a founder of the German Journalists Association, Inge has long championed the impact and influence of women in the media. Her tireless work and unwavering commitment to IAWRT’s mission make her an exemplary recipient of this award.

Outstanding Dedication and Excellent Service Award

OONA SOLBERG (Norway)

We are pleased to honor Oona Solberg, a dedicated IAWRT member since 1998, with this award. Despite her retirement, Oona remains actively engaged in IAWRT activities. Her contributions include:

  • Serving on the IAWRT International Board (2001–2005)
  • Securing small grants for IAWRT projects, enabling virtual chapter activities during the pandemic
  • Facilitating a successful partnership with the Journalism & Media International Center (JMIC), culminating in the 2022 Biennial Conference in Zanzibar, Tanzania
  • As a History graduate, serving as one of three IAWRT members on the Archives Committee, including self-funding research trips to gather and centralize IAWRT’s scattered records

Oona’s dedication and service have had a significant impact on IAWRT’s ability to sustain activities and partnerships during challenging times. We are deeply grateful for her tireless efforts and proud to present her with the IAWRT Outstanding Dedication and Excellent Service Award.

Outstanding Dedication and Excellent Service Award

VIOLET GONDA (Zimbabwe)

We proudly recognise Violet Gonda, a fearless Zimbabwean journalist, and a devoted IAWRT leader, with this prestigious award. After helping to set up her country’s first privately owned radio station broadcasting from London, Violet was forced into exile by the Zimbabwean government for more than 2 decades – for exposing the political crises and human rights abuses in her country. 

Besides her professional work as a political journalist, She joined IAWRT in 1999, rising through the ranks becoming its youngest elected President and serving in multiple Executive Board roles – from Secretary, Treasurer to President. 

Her dedication, passion for women’s empowerment, and calming professionalism make her an invaluable asset. Violet’s remarkable accomplishments include:

• leadership and crisis management, guiding our Afghan female journalist members through Taliban takeovers and steering IAWRT during the pandemic and financial hardships.

• ⁠⁠Her Board introduced the Digital Safe House pilot programme for Filipino women journalists in crisis, in collaboration with IMS.


• She helped to spearhead virtual Chapter events and innovative programmes in collaboration with the Oslomet University’s JMIC during the lockdown.


• Violet did not leave us in the midst of organisational challenges. She has gone above and beyond the call of duty always showing up to help with crisis management,. Despite debilitating heath issues Violet continues to be active as: 

• Chair of the Advisory Board made up of former Presidents, 

• ⁠She is chair of the Elections Committee, 

• She is the 3rd member of the IAWRT Archives Committee that is helping to secure IAWRT’s historical records.


• Her contribution to fundraising is evident in the successful Biennial held in Zanzibar in 2022. Because of an emergency, Violet helped to secure alternative arrangements for the Biennial conference to be held in Bangkok.

• She is always among the first to offer connections, networks and ideas to help the organisation grow! 


• We are honored to bestow Violet Gonda with the Outstanding Dedication and Excellent Service Award.

Outstanding Dedication and Excellent Service Award

DR. GRETA GOBER (Poland)

We’re proud to announce Dr. Greta Gober as one of the 3 recipients of this year’s *Outstanding Dedication and Excellent Service Award*. 

As a renowned academic and dedicated IAWRT member, Greta has made significant contributions to the organisation, including:

• Serving as a Board Member and Vice President for five years

• Playing a leading role in the IAWRT GoFundMe fundraising initiative to raise much needed funds for the Biennial Conference and developing the concept note for the conference. 

• Contributing to the development of the *Handbook on Working Towards Gender Equality in the Media*

• Moderating various international panel discussions on Gender Mainstreaming

• Heading IAWRT’s Gender Mainstreaming Committee

• Providing creative and sharp ideas that have helped shape the organization’s direction

We’re grateful for Greta’s dedication, expertise, and passion for promoting gender equality in the media. We’re proud to honor her with this award.

Service Award

REBECCA MYLES (USA)

Rebecca Myles, a respected journalist and active IAWRT–USA member, consistently helps to organise events such as the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), offering insightful ideas and strong support. At the Zanzibar conference, she introduced IAWRT members to a LinkedIn expert who conducted a workshop to help enhance members’ professional profiles.

Rebecca also frequently shares members’ work on her live programmes in the USA, increasing their visibility and reach. Her dedication to supporting women in media is truly admirable.

Service Award

EUNICE KASIRYE (Uganda)

Eunice, an exceptional African Chapter Head, inspires members to stay engaged despite challenges. She organised unfunded events and previously served as International Board Secretary, helping to clean up the member database and Chapter Heads, encouraging subscriptions. Eunice also contributed to the CSW Committee and serves on the Biennial and Election Committees. Her contributions are truly appreciated.

Courageous Service Award

NAJIBA AYUBI (Afghanistan)

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Najiba Ayubi is the Head of the Afghanistan chapter of IAWRT. A distinguished journalist, human rights defender and peace activist with over two decades of experience, she has dedicated her career to covering news stories in Afghanistan, often under threats and attacks from state and non-state actors for her reporting on politics, society and human rights, with a focus on gender justice.

When she was the Managing Director of The Killid Group, Ms. Ayubi led a diverse team of reporters working across print, broadcast, and online media. She is known for her staunch refusal to censor content and her passion for independent media.

Ms. Ayubi co-founded the Afghan Independent Media Consortium and the Freedom of Expression Initiative, providing crucial resources and support for independent journalists in Afghanistan. Her commitment to journalistic integrity and bravery in the face of adversity earned her the International Women’s Media Foundation Courage in Journalism Award in 2013. In 2014, she was recognized by Reporters Without Borders as one of the first-ever 100 Information Heroes. Additionally, she received the Press Freedom Prize from the Swedish Section of Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Despite being in exile and with severe health challenges, Najiba Ayubi continues to advocate tirelessly for the rights of women in Afghanistan. We are proud to recognise her significant contribution to women’s rights in Afghanistan and to IAWRT’s advocacy initiatives for peace and justice by honouring her with IAWRT’s Courageous Service Award.

Courageous Service Award

FRENCHIE MAE CUMPI (Philippines)

Frenchie Mae Cumpio is a member of the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) from the Philippines. She began her career in broadcast journalism at the age of 16, after she and other survivors of Typhoon Yolanda received training through an IAWRT Philippines program conducted in coordination with IAWRT International. This initiative formed part of the Community Radio Project supported by FOKUS in 2015.

In 2016, Radyo Tacloban was established as a women-led community radio initiative. Ms. Cumpio became one of its broadcasters and subsequently served as the Regional Coordinator of Radyo Tacloban, based in Eastern Visayas.

Her reporting focused on the conditions of peasant communities in Eastern Visayas and the persistent poverty experienced by many in the region. As a result of her work, she was subjected to surveillance and received death threats in 2018 and 2019. In February 2020, she was illegally arrested on fabricated charges of possession of firearms and explosives, to which the government later added an accusation of financing terrorism. She was acquitted of the murder charge in November of this year.

It is hoped that she will be released in January 2026 upon the promulgation of her remaining cases. She remains one of the youngest community journalists currently incarcerated.

We would like to present a special token of appreciation to Nupur Basu (India) and Supattra Limbabandhu (Thailand) in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the successful organisation of the 40th IAWRT Biennial in Bangkok. Nupur was closely involved from the very beginning as a member of the Biennial Committee, contributing to the development of the concept and the initial plans to hold the event in Kathmandu. When circumstances necessitated a change of venue, she played a pivotal role in planning the relocation and in coordinating communication with members and resource persons, helping to shape the Biennial in significant ways. Supattra, meanwhile, worked tirelessly and single-handedly to secure all on-ground arrangements required to organise the Biennial in Bangkok at very short notice. Without her dedication and hard work, the event would not have been possible. We are deeply grateful to both Nupur and Supattra for their unwavering commitment to IAWRT.

Jim Thompson Art Center

Bangkok, Thailand

December 5, 2025, 6:30 PM

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40th IAWRT Biennial Conference


Opening Remarks

Jola Diones-Mamangun

IAWRT President

Dear guests and colleagues, good morning.

Today, we begin by extending our deep condolences to the people of Thailand for the passing of their beloved Queen Sirikit last October 24th. Her leadership and devotion to her nation will always be remembered.

May I invite everyone to rise as we observe few seconds of silence in her honor.

(few seconds of silence)

Thank you. Please be seated.

Today, we warmly welcome all delegates who have traveled from different regions to be part of our 40th IAWRT Biennial Conference. Your presence reflects your commitment, your enthusiasm, and your belief in our collective mission.

Today is also the first time in our history in IAWRT that we gather for a conference fully self-sponsored. This truly shows how eager and dedicated our members are to be here, despite so many challenges. Thank you for coming.

Our conference begins today, December 4, and will continue until December 6th.

We gather at a time when the world is facing profound challenges—political unrest in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, the Philippines, Afghanistan, Iraq, the United States, and most recently in Kenya and Tanzania.

These tensions shape the lives of millions and directly affect the work of journalists everywhere.

Our colleagues in the media face growing risks—not only in reporting on instability in their countries, but also in navigating how to stand with their people and participate in the transformations they demand. Many of us have been victims of corruption, harassment, threats, unjust arrest, assault, and imprisonment simply because we dare to tell the truth. Because we speak for the powerless, challenge injustice, and refuse to be silent.

We are truth-tellers—yet we remain among those most deprived of press freedom and freedom of expression.

Our colleagues in Palestine continue to endure the greatest vulnerability—experiencing unimaginable violence, displacement, and deprivation. The loss of life in Gaza has been staggering. Families are grieving, communities are shattered, and the world is witnessing suffering that should never be acceptable. It is a painful reminder of how global systems, inequalities, and the actions of powerful states determine who is protected and who is not.

And yet, despite all this, the world is still watching. And more importantly, we do not lose hope that the world is still listening.

It is listening to us—the journalists, the documenters, the women who refuse to be silenced. It is listening to the communities demanding justice. It is listening to the mothers protecting their children, the activists seeking dignity, and the citizens who believe that peace is their right.

This is why we are here today — to give voice to the voiceless, to reaffirm our solidarity across borders. We gather because truth-telling is not just our profession—it is our responsibility.

But we must also recognize a deeper reality: gender justice in a conflict-driven world is still far from being achieved. Women journalists often become direct targets of violence and intimidation—particularly by those who fear the truth they expose.

In Afghanistan, after the withdrawal of the United States and the return of the Taliban, women and girls have been stripped of their right to education and forced into silence.

In Iraq, years of conflict and power struggles have left women journalists struggling to report freely, their voices constrained by fear and repression.

Across Palestine, where more than 200 journalists have been killed since October 2023, women continue to document the truth amid devastation and danger.

And in the Philippines, Frenchie Mae Cumpio was only 21 when she was illegally arrested in February 2020 on trumped-up charges of possessing firearms and explosives—accusations widely condemned as fabricated. Authorities later escalated the case by adding an allegation of terrorism financing. Although she won a murder case against her this November, her long-awaited freedom remains painfully elusive.

At 26, Frenchie’s dream is the same as that of many colleagues unjustly deprived of their liberty: to reclaim her life, see the world beyond prison walls, and continue speaking truth to power with courage.

So the question remains: How can gender justice prevail in a world where women are denied the freedom to speak, to learn, to work, and to live without fear?

To move toward real gender justice, we must commit to real solutions:

First – Protect women journalists through enforceable international guarantees.

Mechanisms must exist that compel governments and armed groups to respect the rights and safety of women in the media.
Second – Hold perpetrators accountable—no matter who they are.
War crimes, gender-based violence, and attacks on journalists must be investigated and prosecuted, regardless of political alliances or the identity of the perpetrator.
Third – Support and strengthen women’s networks and local media communities.
Women need resources—funding, training, safe communication tools, digital protection—to continue telling the stories that matter.
Fourth – Demand universal access to education for women and girls.
Without education, justice becomes impossible. The international community must challenge regimes that deny girls their rights and support alternatives wherever necessary.
Fifth – Ensure women’s full participation in peacebuilding and reconstruction.
There can be no meaningful peace, no durable justice, when half the population is absent from decision-making tables.

Gender justice will not come from hope alone. It requires action, courage, and a united voice. And that is why this conference matters.

Let it be a place of courage and insight—a space where we lift each other up, challenge one another, and build strategies that protect our rights and our safety. May it empower us to defend press freedom, support one another, and continue the work that unites us as women in media.

Together, we carry the stories of our people. Together, we continue the fight for justice, dignity, and freedom. And together, we remind the world that the truth will not be silenced.

Thank you, and I wish everyone a meaningful, powerful, and inspiring 40th IAWRT Biennial Conference.

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