2ND EDITION OF NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES (NTDs) AND WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE (WASH) MEDIA AWARDS 2024

Call of entries submission for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Media Awards 2024

1. Introduction

The Rwanda NGOs Forum on HIV/AIDS and Health Promotion (RNGOF on HIV/AIDS & HP), inspired by the resounding success and valuable insights gained from the inaugural NTDs and WASH Media Awards 2023, is proud to announce the open for entries the second edition. The first edition, held on December 19, 2023, served as a pivotal platform to recognize and celebrate the exceptional contributions of media professionals in raising awareness, advocating for, and driving action on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in Rwanda.

Through the collaborative efforts of distinguished stakeholders, notably Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), The End Fund, Rwanda Media Commission (RMC), and expert journalists, the awards underscored the critical role of the media in fostering public understanding, advocating for positive change, and mobilizing community support for NTD and WASH initiatives. The recommendations and lessons learned from the first edition have informed the design, plan and implementation of the second edition, ensuring a more impactful and inclusive awards program.

In light of the significant impact of the media on raising awareness and driving action on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in Rwanda and in alignment with the celebration of the World NTD Day 2025 of 30th January 2025, Rwanda NGOs Forum on HIV/AIDS and Health Promotion, in collaboration with the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) under the financial support from The End Fund, is delighted to announce the second edition of the NTDs and WASH Media Awards. These awards recognize and celebrate the exceptional contributions of media professionals who have excelled in covering NTDs and WASH in Rwanda, inspiring others to join the fight against these health challenges.

This document outlines the objectives, criteria, and guidelines for the NTDs and WASH Media Awards 2024 in Rwanda.

Submissions will be accepted from Wednesday 11^th December to Monday 8^th January 2025 at 5:00 pm.

2. Background

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of preventable or treatable infectious diseases that disproportionately affect populations living in poverty, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. These include soil-transmitted helminths (STH), schistosomiasis (SCH), snakebite envenoming, dog bites/rabies, lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), onchocerciasis (river blindness) and more. In Rwanda, as in many low-income countries, NTDs impose a heavy burden on vulnerable communities. Historically, these diseases have received less attention and funding compared to other global health priorities.

However, Rwanda has made significant strides toward controlling and eliminating NTDs, aligning with global efforts. The Kigali Declaration on NTDs in June 2022, underscored the country’s commitment to eradicate, eliminate, or control NTDs by 2030. This landmark declaration calls for investment and increased country ownership of NTD programs, integration across sectors, and strong partnerships. Rwanda’s multi-pronged approach emphasizes the integration of NTD interventions within broader health and development agendas, such as Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives, and leveraging cross-sectoral collaboration to sustain progress made.

Key to Rwanda’s success in combatting NTDs has been the focus on deworming and interruption of transmission (IoT) for diseases like soil-transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis. Through coordinated efforts with global partners such as WHO, The END Fund, and Merck KGaA, Rwanda has implemented mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns, health education, and improved access to WASH services, targeting schools and communities to reduce transmission.

Partnerships between public institutions, local governments, community leaders, the private sector and civil society organizations have been instrumental in this fight. Engagement with communities, especially through individual actions and leadership at the local level, ensures that interventions are culturally appropriate and effectively delivered. These efforts are bolstered by media players, both analog and digital, who play a vital role in spreading awareness, educating affected communities, and advocating for greater investment in NTD prevention and treatment.

Media contributions, coupled with government-led initiatives, continued international partnerships, community-led initiatives, and ownership, ensure a multifaceted approach. By mobilizing all sectors, Rwanda is poised to not only meet but exceed its targets for NTD eradication, ultimately contributing to the global goal of ending the neglect of these diseases by 2030.

Therefore, recognizing and encouraging media outlets that contribute to promoting health through their coverage of WASH and NTDs is important.

3. Objectives

3.1. General objective

The general objective of these awards is to recognize and celebrate the outstanding work of media outlets, including journalists and individuals, who have made significant contributions to raising awareness about and advocating for NTDs and WASH issues in Rwanda. The awards also aim to inspire and motivate other journalists and individuals to continue promoting responsible journalism and mass communication in health promotion.

3.2. Specific objectives

The primary objectives of the NTDs and WASH Media Awards 2024 in Rwanda are as follows:

1. Recognize and reward journalists and individuals for exceptional coverage of NTDs and WASH issues in Rwanda
2. Encourage increased media coverage of NTDs and WASH concerns in Rwanda
3. Foster responsible journalism by promoting accurate reporting on health-related matters, particularly NTDs and WASH
4. Facilitate partnerships among media outlets, CSOs, NGOs, and government agencies to address NTDs and WASH challenges in Rwanda effectively
5. Contribute to improving public health in Rwanda by emphasizing the significance of NTDs and WASH-related concerns through media awareness campaigns.

4. Entry Categories

Awards will be given to reporters/journalists and individuals for their outstanding contributions to NTDs and WASH awareness and advocacy through media in the following categories:

1. Radio
2. TV
3. Online TVs (YouTube)
4. Online newspapers
5. Photography and videography
6. Social media and other digital communication platforms such as blogs, X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and others
7. Print media

5. List of Awards

The NTDs and WASH Media Awards 2024 recognize excellence and innovation in journalism and engagement across various communication platforms. These prestigious awards celebrate journalist, individuals and content creators that have made significant contributions to the media landscape through their exceptional work on NTDs and WASH. The categories include traditional print and broadcast media, as well as emerging digital platforms and social media as detailed below:

1. Best Radio Journalist Award
2. Best Television Presenter Award
3. Best Print Media Award
4. Best Online TV Journalist Award
5. Best Newspaper Journalist Award
6. Best Social Media Influencer Award
7. Best Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award
8. Best Innovative Journalist Award

6. Eligibility Criteria

The NTDs and WASH Media Awards 2024 are open to a wide range of media professionals and individuals, both local and international, working in Rwanda, including journalists, content creators, photographers, videographers, and others. To be eligible, your work must comply with the following criteria:

1. This entry is open for journalists, media professionals, content creators, and individuals working in Rwanda (a copy of national identification card/passport is required)
2. The submitted work must have been published or broadcasted between January 2024 and 10^th December 2024
3. Entries should focus on NTDs and WASH issues in Rwanda, highlighting their impact and needs for affected people
4. Entries may be submitted by individuals or media houses, and each entrant may submit only one piece of work,
5. The submissions may be in English, French, or Kinyarwanda,
6. Reporters/Journalists must present copies of their respective media house identification cards
7. To encourage diversity and inclusion, it is highly recommended that women, youth as well as people with disability in the media sector apply for the awards

7. Submission Process

1. Kindly submit a letter expressing your interest, along with a link, a copy, a video or a photo of your work to the email address rwandangoforumrw@gmail.com not later than Monday 8^th January 2025 at 5:00 pm.
2. Each submission must be complemented by a copy of ID/Passport, portrait photo and your concise biography/profile, delineating professional or personal accomplishments and dedicated efforts in the realm of NTDs and WASH awareness and advocacy
3. Professional reporters/journalists must submit copies of their respective media house identification cards and Rwanda Media Commission (RMC) cards

8. Evaluation Process

An independent panel of judges, comprising experts in Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), and media, will evaluate the submissions. To ensure fairness and transparency, the organizers will implement well-defined and distinguished evaluation criteria, ensuring that each entry is assessed impartially. Entries will be judged based on specific criteria, including relevance to WASH or NTDs issues, use of facts and statistical data, references to medical professionals or WASH/NTDs experts, first-hand experiences of those affected, and a call to action addressing the barriers or challenges related to WASH or NTDs.

9. Awards Ceremony

The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Thursday 30^th January 2025. During the event, winners will be honored with certificates and trophies in recognition of their achievements in respective categories.

10. Timeline/Important Dates

10. Contact Information

Should you have any inquiries about submissions, please contact

Nooliet KABANYANA

Executive Director

Rwanda NGOs Forum on HIV/AIDS and Health Promotion