Faces of AFEM

Ridelphine KATABESHA AGANZE was born on June 30, 1985 in Bukavu, in South Kivu province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. After high school, she helped create a youth organization which promoted women's rights and the rights of senior citizens (APGA). She was promoted to APGA's vice coordinator, a position that she held until 2007. Interested in journalism, she became involved with the radio station Star/Bukavu as a journalist, producer and radio show hostess. The same year, she obtained her Bachelor's degree in Civil and Judiciary Law. She joined the Women's Media Association in April 2007 and was elected the secretary of the Board of Directors in July 2008. Presently, she specializes in reporting, editing and production for AFEM/SK. She is in her final year of a Law degree at the Official University of Bukavu. As a single woman, she is particularly involved in the fight for women's right. To that end, she combines her studies with her journalistic profession.

Julienne BASEKE: Born on October 24,1979 in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. At 10 years of age, she often went to see theatrical troops in her childhood town of Bukavu. At the end of her humanities studies in 2002, she was already a stage actress. In 2006, while she was employed as an instructor at the Official University of Bukavu, she began an internship at Radio Maria. The following year, she worked at Radio Maria as a contributor.
She joined AFEM/SK in 2006 and became AFEM's program coordinator. She is in charge of editing for projects and various reports. She produces shows on public awareness with rural women and as a result, she produces reports and interviews with these rural women. Julienne felt the need to get involved in journalism so that she could contribute to a positive image of women and push them to improve their situation. Julienne tries to use the media as a tool to encourage both awareness and advancement among marginalized groups.

Pascaline ZAMUDA MUKANDA: Born on October 26 1987 in West Kasai. She grew up in Bakuva, South Kivu province where her parents moved. At the young age of 12, she became interested in collective living and joined the Youth Association for Cultural Development (AJDC). The NGO Search for Common Ground recruited and trained 15 year old Julienne to become a young reporter. For five years, she performed the following duties: magazine editing and fieldwork in conflict zones. During this work, she reported on the situation of children in the armed forces and in conflict zones. 
After four years of work, she was promoted to a supervisory position over young reporters. She performed this duty for one year until she was dismissed after exceeding the maximum qualifying age in 2007. In 2008, she joined the South Kivu Women's Media Association and took charge of production for advocacy and awareness on behalf of victims of sexual violence.
She performs her job's duties in conjuction with her university studies. She is in her second year of undergraduate studies for Sociology at the Official University of Bukavu.

Colette SALIMA MULOBA is a journalist at Radio Maendeleo. After her studies in organizational behavior at the ISDR Bukavu, she began her journalistic career in 2006 at the Radio Télévision Grands Lacs. She continued her work at the Star radio station. Currently, she is employed at Maendeleo radio station. She chose journalism from a desire to be in contact with people, to listen to them, to help them and to resolve their problems. As a woman working in the media, she produces shows and moderated panels about women's advancement and sexual violence issues.

Joëlle NYARWAYA MUZIRIKWABO: Born on March 31, 1987 in Katana, in South Kivu province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She spent her childhood in Rwanda where her father worked as a nurse. In 1994, she returned to the Democratic Republic of Congo after the onset of the Rwandan genocide. At 12 years of age, she became a member of the group, Meeting Place for Congolese Children. There, she worked as a spokesperson. At 15, she joined the NGO Search for Common Ground where she trained as a young reporter and edited the magazine «SISI WATOTO» or «NOUS LES ENFANTS» in French. Once she reached adulthood (at age 18), Search for Common Ground dismissed her and AFEM-SK employed her to produce shows. Her broadcasts promoted public awareness and training for two important issues: women's rights and good governance in South Kivu. As a single woman, she works at AFEM while she is studying International Relations in her second year at the Official Univeristy of Bukavu.

Agnès SADIKI NYABISOKI: Agnès SADIKI NYABISOKI: was born on March 23, 1972 at Kantamba, in Shabunda territory, in South Kivu province. After her studies, she followed her religious calling and joined a convent. She later changed professions and married. In 2001, she felt the need to become a journalist and she began a career at the public radio station RTNC. There, she brought a new voice especially to women's issues because at the public radio station women had never held any influential positions. Her professional rise is defined by her determination to work for interpersonal communication.

Women's eNews: Panel Discussion with Chouchou Namegabe

Media inattention and international inaction became the two faces of humanitarian indifference that emerged at a panel discussion on sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo hosted by Women's eNews in partnership with Vital Voices and the Women's Media Center on March 23.

http://www.womensenews.org/congo-invite.htm

Panel Decries Neglect of Sexual Violence in Congo Congo has been described as the worst country to be a woman, due to sexual atrocities being committed in the eastern part of the country. At a New York media event late last month, African panelist tried to rally humanitarian attention.

2009 Global Leadership Awards

Chouchou Namegabe Nabintu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Vital Voices Fern Holland Award

In the Congo, 31-year old Chouchou Namegabe Nabintu is known by many as a pioneering, fearless voice for justice and accountability. Born in Bukavu in South Kivu Province, Chouchou developed a strong interest in radio broadcasting and journalism as a young student. She saw radio as the means through which to reach the masses in Congo, the only medium of communication accessible to nearly everyone everywhere.

In 1997, Chouchou began as a trainee and presenter at Radio Maendeleo, a popular local community radio station, and after volunteering for several years, entered the permanent reporting staff in 2002.

In the late 1990s, as Eastern Congo was overcome by violence, Chouchou turned her microphone into a potent weapon against the rampant violations of women’s human rights she saw taking place in her community. She gained a reputation as a journalist with expertise in women, health, and human rights. She also courageously denounced the corruption of mismanagement by public authorities.

In 2003 Chouchou founded the South Kivu’s Association of Women Journalists (“Association des Femmes des Médias du Sud Kivu” or “AFEM”) and assumed leadership of the Association as its president two years later. Chouchou has sought to perfect her technical skills by attending field trainings and searching for mentorship from experienced professionals, including foreign journalists.

With AFEM and through her radio broadcasts, Chouchou continues to shine a spotlight on women’s issues, especially in rural areas. She has also brought the plight of Congolese women to an international stage, recently traveling to the Hague in December 2007 to plead the case of Kivu’s women at the International Court of Justice, where she denounced without fear the impunity in which some major rebel leaders thrive and flourish. There is no question that the world will be hearing more from Chouchou in the years to come.