OREANDA-NEWS. The African Development Bank, in collaboration with UK-based One World Media, has just awarded the first ‘Women’s Rights in Africa’ Media Award. On June 18, 2015 in London, the first award was given to journalist Rosa Rogers of Al Jazeera Television, for her report “Casablanca Calling”. The award – designed to promote gender equality through the media – was presented by Joel Kibazo, the Bank’s Director of Communications and External Relations.

“Casablanca Calling” is an intimate portrait of three female religious leaders, based in Morocco. Their stories illustrate a society in transition and a mission to educate a nation, and they preach the virtues of tolerance, compassion and equality.

Speaking at the Awards ceremony, Kibazo set out the reasons for the AfDB’s involvement in the One World Media Awards. “Gender equality – equal opportunity for men and women, boys and girls – is a fundamental pillar of the Bank’s work.  We have to practice it within the Bank, and we have to promote in all our projects.”

Kibazo also said that media has a critical role to play in the transformation of African societies. “We know that a lively, probing and responsible media is a fundamental element of a transforming society, and we in the Bank want to support it. And that’s why we have brought together the two issues of gender equality and media in sponsoring this One World Award, which supports media who look critically and creatively at the issue of women’s rights.”

One World Media Awards celebrate the best in media coverage of the developing world, reflecting the social, political and cultural life of people across the globe. One World Media supports international journalism and promotes media coverage of global issues.