AUB Launches Initiative on Femicide Reporting in Africa

The African Union of Broadcasting (AUB), in partnership with RAI Italia, announces the hosting of a two-day virtual conference on femicide reporting in Africa with the theme, “From Awareness to Action: Media for Women’s Safety”, taking place from 15 to 16 December 2025 via Zoom. The event is aimed at strengthening media capacities in reporting femicide and advancing gender-sensitive journalism across Africa.

The Opening Ceremony, scheduled for 10:00 UTC on 15 December, will feature a keynote speech will also be delivered by the Chairperson of the event, Her Excellency, Mrs. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Honourable Minister of Women Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Official remarks will be presented by Mr. Grégoire Ndjaka, AUB Chief Executive Officer, and Mrs. Simona Martorelli, Director of International Relations & European Affairs at RAI.

Over the two days, the webinar will bring together media professionals, legal experts, gender advocates, and academic specialists to examine how African broadcasters report femicide and how media narratives can better contribute to prevention, justice, and social change.

Day One sessions include:

Presentation of the AUB Survey on Femicide Coverage in African Media, led by Margaret Komol, AUB Head of Projects & Training.

Understanding Cultural Norms as Drivers of Femicide in Africa, presented by Dr. Evelyne Mengue A Koung, Editorialist and Lecturer at the Advanced School of Mass Communication, Cameroon.

A cross-border panel on Legal and Security Dimensions of Femicide Reporting, featuring speakers from RAI, the African Women Lawyers Association, and human rights experts.

Day Two will explore advanced reporting practices through sessions on media prejudice, case studies of femicide reporting from African broadcasters, and effective framing techniques. Contributions will come from Prof. Luca Massidda, broadcasters such as NTA Nigeria, CRTV Cameroon, and RTS Senegal, as well as Brigitte Leoni, Media Consultant on Feminicide, who will also anchor a practical demonstration through the screening of the documentary “Norma.”

The event will close with a discussion on building a continental media coalition to strengthen and harmonise femicide reporting across Africa.

Through this initiative, the AUB aims to deepen professional collaboration, enhance public-interest journalism, and promote safer, more gender-responsive content in African media.