International Media

Women's Edition

Women's Edition is a project of the Population Reference Bureau (PRB) that brings together senior women editors and producers from influential media organizations in different countries to examine and report on pressing issues affecting women's health and status in the developing world. The group reaches as many as 25 million viewers, listeners, and readers. Women's Edition comprises eight to 12 senior journalists from leading news media organizations around the developing world who are competitively selected to participate in this activity.

The Mission

Women's Edition seeks development of informed policy decisions affecting women through factual, accurate, and up-to-date media coverage that reflects women's needs and perspectives. By providing information directly to millions of women in developing countries on issues that are important to them, Women's Edition also helps to shape public discussion of these issues and to arm women with information that allows them to take control of their lives.

To achieve its mission, Women's Edition is designed to strengthen and expand coverage of women's health, development, and population issues in the print and broadcast news media. This involves increasing the frequency and prominence of coverage, the correct use of data, and the emphasis on women's perspectives.

Women's Edition Activities

Each year, PRB organizes two weeklong seminars for Women's Edition members on pressing reproductive health and related issues. In recent years, the seminars have explored women and HIV/AIDS, women's empowerment, changing family structures and dynamics, gender-based violence, maternal mortality, sexually transmitted diseases, adolescent sexuality and school-based reproductive health education, and relevant policies. The seminars have been held in Washington, D.C.; New York City; San José, Costa Rica; Durban, South Africa; and Barcelona, Spain.

The seminars bring together the journalists and specialists from health, population, human rights, and women's organizations. They include sessions on aspects of women's health and development, editorial meetings in which participants select topics to cover and develop strategies for doing so, and field visits to sites where the journalists can see innovative programs in action.

Women's Edition Special Supplements and Programs

Following every seminar, each Women's Edition journalist produces for her media organization at least one in-depth and high-profile supplement, series of articles, or program based on the theme of that seminar. These have included special newspaper pull-out sections, features, news reports, editorials, and talk shows. The Women's Edition members — all leaders in the news media — work together to identify priority topics and to find the most appropriate ways to cover them in their publications or broadcasts. At the end of each seminar, the members choose the theme for the subsequent seminar.

Women's Edition Members

Current members of Women's Edition are:

• Gabriela Adamesteanu, editor-in-chief, 22; weekly columnist, Romania Libera, Romania
• Harikala Adhikary, program producer, Milijuli; deputy executive editor, Gorkhapatra, Nepal
• Thaís Aguilar, director for Latin America, Servicio Especial de Noticias de la Mujer (SEM), Costa Rica
• Sarah Akrofi-Quarcoo, chief editor, news and current affairs, Ghana Radio News, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation; president, Women in Broadcasting, Ghana
• Josefina (Pennie Azarcon) dela Cruz, associate editor, Sunday Inquirer Magazine, Philippine Daily Inquirer
• Eunice Mathu, publisher and editor, Parents, Kenya
• Nawal Sayed Mostafa, vice-chief editor, Al Akhbar, Egypt
• Sathya Saran, editor, Femina, India
• Nabusayi Lindah Wamboka, assistant editor, senior features writer, The Monitor, Uganda

Profiles of Women's Edition Members

Who Should Apply to Women's Edition

PRB invites senior women editors and producers from leading media outlets in the developing world to apply to join Women's Edition. PRB seeks to include women who are clearly interested in reproductive health, population trends, and related topics, who demonstrate a commitment to covering these issues in the media, and who can communicate effectively in English during the seminars. Women's Edition members commit to publishing or producing at least one in-depth supplement, series of articles or broadcast program after each Women's Edition seminar on issues selected by the members. PRB covers travel costs of participants from countries eligible for USAID assistance, as well as participants who are sponsored by foundations. Applications are accepted approximately every two years, and PRB posts the application form and procedures on this website when the application process opens.