Our Network
By Nankwanga Eunice Kasirye, Chapter Head, International Association of Women in Radio and
Television Uganda Chapter
As the global community commemorates International Women’s Day 2026, the International
Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) Uganda Chapter joins voices around the
world in reflecting on this year’s theme: “Give To Gain.” This theme powerfully captures the
spirit of the work that women in media undertake every day, often quietly, without recognition,
but always with profound impact on the societies they serve.
Throughout the first week of March, the IAWRT Uganda Chapter carried out a seven-day digital
campaign on https://x.com/iawrt_ug and https://www.facebook.com/IAWRTUG designed to
spotlight the lived realities of women working across the media landscape. The campaign
sought to bring attention to both the visible and invisible sacrifices women journalists make to
ensure that stories continue to reach the public.
Behind every headline, every radio bulletin, every television broadcast, and every documentary
are women who give more than their professional skills. They give their time, courage,
emotional strength, and sometimes even their personal dreams so that society can gain access
to truth, accountability, and informed public dialogue.
Our campaign highlighted several groups of women journalists whose contributions often
remain overlooked.
We honoured women journalists reporting from conflict and crisis environments, and the
families who live daily with the anxiety that accompanies such assignments. Their courage
ensures that the world does not turn away from injustice and that communities affected by
conflict are not forgotten.
We also stood in solidarity with freelance women journalists, many of whom work under
precarious conditions. Some are paid only minimal amounts per story, while others face the
discouraging reality of having their bylines stolen or their work published without proper
compensation. Despite these challenges, they continue to pursue stories that matter, driven by
the belief that persistence and integrity will eventually open doors.
Our campaign also amplified the voices of journalists reporting on gender-based violence,
many of whom carry the emotional burden of telling deeply painful stories while navigating
similar experiences themselves. These women often report on trauma, injustice, and survival
while lacking adequate professional and psychosocial support systems to protect their own
well-being.
We recognized women journalists working in rural and underserved communities, where
limited access to reliable internet, electricity, equipment, transportation, and professional
training can make the practice of journalism particularly difficult. In some areas, entrenched
cultural attitudes still question whether women should even pursue careers in journalism. Yet
these journalists remain steadfast in their commitment to ensuring that the voices and realities
of their communities are heard.
Finally, we honoured women working in broadcast media, the faces and voices audiences
encounter daily on television and radio. While viewers and listeners see confidence and
composure, many of these professionals navigate intense pressures from rigid appearance
expectations to demanding work schedules while trying to balance personal aspirations with
the realities of the media industry.
Across all these experiences, one truth stands out clearly: women in media give far more than
what the public often sees.
They give courage where there is fear.
They give voice where there is silence.
They give visibility where there is invisibility.
They give resilience where systems fall short.
And because they give, society gains.
Society gains stories that challenge injustice and demand accountability.
Society gains perspectives that expand public understanding and empathy.
Society gains stronger democracies built on informed citizens and inclusive dialogue.
At the IAWRT Uganda Chapter, we believe that strengthening women’s participation in media is
not simply a matter of representation. It is about building fair, inclusive, and ethical media
ecosystems where women journalists can work safely, receive fair compensation, and pursue
their careers without sacrificing their dignity, security, or personal aspirations.
As we mark International Women’s Day 2026, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting
women in media through advocacy, mentorship, professional development, and solidarity
networks that ensure no woman journalist walks her professional journey alone.
The stories of women journalists are not merely media stories.
They are stories of resilience, courage, and transformation.
And when we give to women in media, through opportunity, fairness, and respect, the entire
society gains.
Happy International Women’s Day 2026.
During Commission on the Status of Women 70, we often speak about the impacts of violence, inequality, and trauma across generations. But one critical question remains:
How do we meaningfully engage men as part of the solution?
This interactive workshop explores how intergenerational trauma is transmitted—and how men can play a transformative role in interrupting that cycle.
Through dialogue and participatory methods, we will explore:
• The roots of intergenerational trauma
• Why engaging men is essential to prevention
• Practical approaches for healing across generations
Happy International Women’s Day from the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT)
Today, we stand with women everywhere who face injustice—economically, socially, and politically.
In a world still shaken by war and conflict, it’s women and children who suffer the most.
We remember the young girls killed in a school bombing in Iran last month by US-Israeli forces.
We grieve for the hundreds of children in Gaza who have died or are starving.
We honor the courage of women who fight abuse—online and offline.
Women who speak up against violence, even when their own governments silence them.
We also remember brave women leaders we’ve lost:
– Yanar Mohammed (Iraq),
– Berta Cáceres (Honduras),
– Walaa Al Jabari (Palestine).
They were killed for defending nature, their communities, and the truth in their work.
These realities are frightening. But fear will not stop us.
Women must come together, stand strong, and keep fighting for justice.
Too many countries are in crisis because of power abuse by a few.
And too often, women and children pay the price.
In the Philippines, women are still mocked and disrespected by politicians.
President Bongbong Marcos attended the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women—yet said nothing to defend women at home.
While he was away, Trump pushed aggressive policies—and the Philippines risks being pulled into conflict through US military bases.
We also stand with Frenchie Mae Cumpio, a community journalist still in prison.
She was arrested in 2020 on false charges.
In January 2026, she was finally cleared of “illegal possession” charges—but still wrongly convicted of “financing terrorism.”
Six years of her life taken for crimes she did not commit.
Today, IAWRT says: We will not be silent.
We will keep fighting all forms of violence against women.
We will stand together.
We will speak the truth—no matter how hard the road ahead.
Today, as the world celebrates the triumphs of women, the International Association of Women in Radio and Television – Philippines stands in firm solidarity with those who use their voices to challenge power, even as that power attempts to silence them. For women in the Philippines and across the globe, the “press freedom” we exercise is often met with a heavy price: judicial harassment, misogynistic vitriol, and state-sponsored intimidation.
Our celebration is not a mere formality; it is an act of defiance.
We carry a heavy heart today for our colleague, Frenchie Mae Cumpio and her continuing detention following the local court’s denial of her petition for bail. Frenchie Mae represents the courage of community journalists who dare to report from the fringes. Her continued incarceration is a glaring reminder that for many women truth-tellers, the “justice system” is being weaponized as a cage.
We also assail the harassment of Regine Cabato and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ). Reporting on the West Philippine Sea is a matter of national sovereignty and public interest. To target a woman journalist for bringing clarity to complex geopolitical conflicts is a cowardly attempt to chill investigative fervor. We will not be intimidated into looking away.
IAWRT Philippines believes that weaponizing a woman’s identity to discredit her work remains the “go-to” tactic for those who are unable to present a valid, much less superior idea on legitimate issues.
We stand with Anne Curtis, who recently found herself the target of a lawmaker’s misogynistic statement. No woman, regardless of her profession or platform, should have her dignity debated on the floor of government.
We denounce the vile, sexist remarks made by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio against Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Elago. Such rhetoric is a desperate attempt to trivialize the leadership of women in the political sphere and has no place in a civilized society.
Within and beyond our borders, our hearts go out to the countless women and children in war-stricken areas as they bear the disproportionate weight of conflict, losing their homes and their safety.
The recent escalations in state-sanctioned violence and the reported military strikes ordered by the Trump administration have left countless women and children in conflict zones caught in the crossfire of geopolitical aggression.
This disregard for life and dignity is mirrored by the slow-moving wheel of justice on the Jeffrey Epstein case, where Trump’s name was frequently mentioned. Despite the recent release of millions of pages of documents, true accountability remains elusive for the powerful enablers of his criminal enterprise. We stand with the survivors who continue to fight for their voices to be heard, even as the system fails to prosecute those shielded by power, wealth and influence.
We recognize that there is no true liberation for women until there is peace and justice for all.
IAWRT Philippines vows continue to write, to broadcast, and to speak. We will not let the noise of hate drown out the signal of truth.
Free Frenchie Mae Cumpio!
Defend Press Freedom!
Reference:
Executive Board
International Association of Women in Radio and Television – Philippines