- Basic Info
- Contact
- Work & Expertise
- Current Commitment
- Past Commitment
- Resource
Basic Information
Organization Name:
Association Rwandaise des Femmes des Medias (ARFEM)Organization Regions:
- Africa
-
Organization Country Location:
Rwanda -
Organization City/Locality:
Kigali
Organization mission and work description:
The Association Rwandaise des Femmes en Médias (ARFEM) is a non-profit organization committed to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment in the media. ARFEM works to advance the rights, safety, and representation of female journalists, influence gender-sensitive media policies, and foster inclusive storytelling that amplifies the voices of women and marginalized communities across Rwanda.
Organization's Contacts
-
Primary Contact Name:
Honnete isimbi -
Primary Contact Title:
Executive Director
Additional Contacts Names:
-
Additional representative #1:
-
Additional representative #2:
-
Additional representative #3:
-
Additional representative #4:
OUR INTERNATIONAL COALITION IS MADE UP OF MORE THAN 400 CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS
Learn about TAP Members & Partners
WHO ARE TAP'S MEMBERS?Organization's Work & Expertise
Organization's SGD16 Expertise:
- 16.1 - Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
- 16.2 - End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
- 16.3 - Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
- 16.6 - Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
- 16.a - Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime
- 16.b - Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development
Organization's Areas of Expertise:
- Policy Analysis & Advocacy
- Gender Equality
- Children & Youth
Current Commitment to SDG16+
Summary of commitment:
ARFEM’s Commitment to SDG16: Promoting Just, Peaceful, and Inclusive Societies through Gender-Responsive Media The Association Rwandaise des Femmes en Médias (ARFEM) is deeply committed to the implementation of SDG16, particularly through the promotion of inclusive institutions, public access to information, and protection of fundamental freedoms. Our work focuses on advancing media as a key pillar of democratic governance and justice by ensuring that gender equality, media freedom, and access to justice are at the forefront of national and regional discourse. Objectives: Strengthen the safety, rights, and working conditions of female journalists. Promote gender-responsive and inclusive storytelling in Rwandan media. Advocate for enabling legal and policy environments that uphold freedom of expression and access to justice. Amplify the voices of women and marginalized groups in justice and governance narratives. Theory of Change: We believe that when media institutions are inclusive, gender-responsive, and accountable, they become powerful tools for advancing justice and public participation. By equipping female journalists and media professionals with the skills, protection, and platforms to influence public discourse, we contribute directly to a more informed, engaged, and just society. Key Initiatives and Timeline: 2024–2025: Implementation of the “Gender-Sensitive Media Reform” campaign, which includes: National consultations with media managers and journalists on safety and rights. Development of a standalone Gender Media Policy in collaboration with regulatory bodies. Public awareness campaigns promoting media’s role in justice access and civic participation. Ongoing: Media capacity building on legal literacy and gender equality in governance. Quarterly training workshops for journalists on legal frameworks, justice access, and covering sensitive topics. Production and dissemination of investigative stories on access to justice issues faced by women and other marginalized groups. 2025–2026: Strengthening media's role in conflict prevention and inclusive dialogue. Convening town halls and radio dialogues on SDG16 themes including access to legal aid, accountability, and peacebuilding. Partnering with CSOs and legal aid forums to ensure public understanding of legal rights and remedies. Monitoring and Learning: ARFEM uses participatory monitoring tools, regular feedback loops from media practitioners, and policy outcome tracking to evaluate its impact. We also contribute to national and regional SDG16 reporting efforts by sharing lessons from our grassroots media engagement. ARFEM remains a committed partner in the TAP Network and the broader SDG community, believing that inclusive, free, and gender-equal media is essential for achieving SDG16. Through evidence-based advocacy, strategic partnerships, and community engagement, we aim to build a media ecosystem that not only informs but also empowers citizens to seek justice, participate in governance, and hold institutions accountable.
Organization's priorities and work in relation to commitment:
The Association Rwandaise des Femmes en Médias (ARFEM) aligns closely with the TAP Network’s focus on SDG16+ and its commitment to strengthening accountability, transparency, inclusive governance, and civic space as foundational to achieving the 2030 Agenda. Our work as a gender-focused media organization directly supports multiple targets under SDG16+, especially on: Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, and representative decision-making Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership Specific Linkages to TAP Network Priorities: Access to Information & Media Freedom (SDG16.10) ARFEM advocates for strong media institutions that provide the public—especially women and marginalized groups—with reliable access to information on rights, legal processes, and governance. We promote a free and independent media sector through national policy dialogue and campaigns, and we document and report on violations of press freedom, particularly gender-based threats against women journalists. This work directly supports TAP’s call for an open civic space and the protection of fundamental freedoms. Inclusive Institutions and Gender-Sensitive Governance (SDG16.7 & SDG5.5) Through partnerships with public institutions and media houses, we ensure that women’s voices are represented in governance narratives. Our work amplifies the lived experiences of women in political, legal, and economic decision-making spaces, contributing to TAP’s broader vision for inclusive and representative institutions. Citizen Engagement and Accountability Mechanisms We use media as a tool for social accountability, empowering citizens—especially women—to demand justice and participate meaningfully in democratic processes. Our storytelling and investigative journalism initiatives aim to hold institutions accountable and document progress (or lack thereof) on commitments made under the SDGs. We see great value in contributing these learnings to TAP’s global accountability dialogues and reporting processes. Our Contribution to TAP’s Work: Participate in joint advocacy campaigns and SDG16+ storytelling platforms. Share national-level insights during global SDG16 convenings and TAP-led consultations. Support the localization of TAP tools and accountability frameworks within media networks in Rwanda. Serve as a regional resource on gendered dimensions of civic space and justice access.