Muhanga, a city nestled roughly 50 km from Kigali, recently became a hub for change as 20 journalism students from East African University Rwanda (EAUR) and Institut Catholique de Kabgayi (ICK) engaged in intensive training to sharpen their skills in gender-sensitive media reporting. The three-day workshop, held from April 18th to 20th and facilitated through their respective gender clubs, aimed to cultivate a new generation of journalists equipped to cover gender equality and equity with nuance and understanding.
At the heart of the session stood Tumwesigire Hilary Peace, a woman with a voice as powerful as her convictions. Founder of Family Magazine and commissioner with the Women Media Owners for Change Organization, Hilary has spent over 25 years navigating Rwanda’s media landscape. Now, she’s channeling that experience into a cause she believes is essential to the future of journalism.
“We’re giving these trainings on behalf of FOYO Media Institute under its Rwanda Media Program,” she explained. “It’s a program that aims at elevating the skills of journalists to enhance their profession.”
Hilary’s passion lies deeply in gender. Having studied it and worked on related issues throughout her career, she sees journalism not just as a platform for storytelling but as a tool for transformation.
Since 2022, Hilary and her team have reached students from institutions like the University of Rwanda, Mount Kigali University, East African University Rwanda, and the Institut Catholique de Kabgayi. “We also train professional journalists,” she noted, “because gender balance is not just a women’s issue—it’s a societal need, relevant in politics, workspaces, and beyond.”
She emphasized that the change is visible. “Ten to fifteen years ago, it was rare to find articles that genuinely reflected both male and female experiences. Many pieces were either silent on gender or showed clear bias. Today, we’re seeing more gender-sensitive reporting—stories that speak to everyone.”
According to Hilary, this shift isn’t accidental. “The journalists we’ve trained are applying what they’ve learned. You can see it in their writing. And students who go through our sessions are joining media houses with a clearer understanding of gender perspectives.”
Her hopes for the current class are no less ambitious. “It’s not just about this session,” she said with a firm smile. “Every person we train becomes a multiplier. We expect them to carry these lessons forward—not only to their workplaces but also back to their schools and communities.”
Beyond writing balanced stories, the trainings delve into deeper issues: dismantling harmful social norms, addressing sexual harassment, and creating inclusive working environments. “We want them to fight the subtle and visible inequalities that still exist,” Hilary said. “It’s about understanding that gender equity enriches journalism—it brings stories closer to the real world.”
Students listened intently, many nodding as she spoke. For some, it was a wake-up call; for others, a confirmation of what they’ve always felt but didn’t yet know how to express.
As the training ended and the sun dipped behind the hills of Muhanga, the atmosphere in the room changed as you could feel lessons from the training sink in as the trainees took their evening tea. These weren’t just students anymorethey were future journalists armed with a gender lens, ready to rewrite the narrative.
