This is an opportunity provided by the Sexual Health Rights for Women & Girls programme: Find out more

Thomson Reuters Foundation is offering a new opportunity under HIVOS's We Lead programme (funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs), which works to strengthen the influence and position of young women whose sexual and reproductive health and rights are neglected the most. As part of this, TRF is providing training to journalists in Kenya to advance their knowledge and skills to report effectively on these issues.  

This builds on TRF’s mission to support free, fair and informed societies and its expertise in using the power of journalism and the law to advance media freedom and protect human rights.

The programme will deepen reporters’ subject matter expertise on issues surrounding young women’s sexual and reproductive health rights in Kenya, as well as covering how to identify and tackle mis and disinformation, online safety, and story-telling whilst addressing the issue of social stigma. The programme will also cover the Reuters standards of journalism and the Trust principles, protection of sources, ethical interviewing, and digital skills including how to maximise social media audiences.

It will involve a blend of lively interactive sessions, expert briefings, and exercises, to sustain a highly practical, engaging and relevant training experience. TRF will deliver the hybrid training in English, combining 2 days of live online sessions, offline work, and 3 days of face-to-face sessions in Nairobi.

As part of the same TRF and HIVOS partnership, representatives from the Communities of Action working on HIVOS's We Lead programme will also receive media training. Participants from both courses will be brought together at various points during the programme and will be encouraged to foster connections, work together and build a sustainable network.

TRF and HIVOS would like to invite interested journalists based in Kenya to submit applications to participate in this new training opportunity, via the application process set out below. 

Who Can Apply

• Applicants must be full-time journalists or regular contributors working for media organisations in Kenya.
• Applicants should have a minimum of two years’ professional experience and should explain through their application why they will benefit from participation in this course, and how they plan to use the learning in their professional work.
• Once selected, applicants will also be asked to provide a letter from their editor supporting their participation in the programme. This will only be requested by TRF once applicants have been selected for the course.
• Applicants must have access to a minimum internet speed of 8 MB/second. (You can check the speed of your device at www.speedtest.net). Applicants will also need access to a computer to participate in the online training; participation from a mobile or smart phone will not be possible.
• Please note, to ensure a reliable connection, TRF can contribute to participants’ data costs if necessary. Please indicate in your application if this will be needed.

Applicants will be asked to upload the following documents as part of the application process:

• Two relevant work samples (maximum file size 5 MB). TV/Radio journalists may submit transcripts of broadcasts, a brief summary, and/or links to online versions. Participants are encouraged to provide details of circulation and reach of their publications if possible.
• A biography of up to 200 words outlining your career.
• A statement of up to 200 words describing how you expect to benefit from this course, how you plan to use the learnings in your professional work, and any factors affecting your work as a journalist which may be considered relevant to your application.

 APPLICATION DEADLINE: 12 APRIL 2023

Please note there are limited spaces available; TRF will consider all applications on merit.

If you have any difficulties applying, please email trfmedia@thomsonreuters.com

Course Logistics

There will be two cohorts of 12 journalists, who will each come together for two days of online training in May. Participants will then be set an assignment to work on for the following three weeks, in preparation for the face-to-face training for three days in June, which will further solidify learnings and encourage relationship building between journalists and Community of Action participants.

The training will begin with a Meet and Greet for all participants on 18^th April. The trainers will outline the structure of the training and give participants the opportunity to meet each other ahead of the online sessions in May. The online sessions in May will take place over 4 hours each day, including online and offline segments featuring guest speakers, presentations, Q&A, exercises and group work. This will prepare participants to work on assignments ahead of the face-to-face training to be held in Nairobi from 5^th – 7^th June.

Participants should be prepared to attend the online training for 4 hours on the 2^nd and 3^rd May or 8^th and 9^th May. The face-to-face training opportunity will only be offered to participants who have attended the online trainings in their entirety. TRF will cover travel and accommodation costs for participants based outside Nairobi and lunch will be provided for all participants during the in-person training.

At the end of the course, participants will pitch story ideas for the opportunity to participate in a mentoring programme. Those who successfully complete the course will also join TRF’s alumni network, with further access to follow-on sessions and networking opportunities.

Cohort 1*

Meet and Greet: April 18^th, 9 - 10:30 EAT

Online training: May 2^nd – 3^rd, 09:00 – 13:00 EAT

Time for work on assignments: May 3^rd – 5^th June

Face-to-face training: June 5^th – 7^th, 09:00 – 17:00 EAT

Cohort 2

Meet and Greet: April 18^th, 11:30 – 13:00 EAT

Online training: May 8^th – 9^th, 09:00 – 13:00 EAT

Time for work on assignments: May 9^th – 5^th June

Face-to-face training: June 5^th – 7^th, 09:00 – 17:00 EAT

*Please indicate in your application whether you have a preference for cohort 1 or 2 or can do both. TRF will do its best to allocate participants to their chosen cohort but will do so based on availability.

Meet Our Experts

Meera Senthilingam

Meera Senthilingam is a journalist, editor, and public health consultant specializing in global health. She has Masters degrees in Science Communication from Imperial College London, and in the Control of Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Meera is the Editor for CNN As Equals, the network's gender inequality desk, and was formerly International Health Editor for CNN. She also edits, consults and mentors for organizations including Croakey Health Media, Imperial College London and the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Meera has previously worked for other global media organizations, including the BBC World Service, and research institutions including the LSHTM and the Wellcome Trust.

Christine Mungai

Christine Mungai is a writer, journalist, and 2018 Harvard University Nieman Fellow based in Nairobi, Kenya. She has written on a wide range of subjects and her work has been published in The Africa Report, Adi Magazine, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Al Jazeera English, The New Internationalist, and The Elephant (Kenya). Currently, Christine is the curator for Baraza Media Lab in Nairobi, a co-creation space for public interest storytelling, and a senior producer with CNN's gender reporting team, As Equals.