There was a palpable sense of excitement in the room as journalists, editors, and climate advocates gathered on March 28 for an event that would mark a first not only for Zanzibar, but for Tanzania as a whole.
The Community Forests Climate Journalism Awards, the first initiative of its kind in the country, brought climate storytelling into the spotlight—recognising journalists who are reshaping how climate change is reported, and whose voices are too often left out.
Organised by Community Forests Pemba (CFP) in collaboration with TAMWA Zanzibar, the awards were held under the theme “Amplifying Women’s Voices in Climate Action.” But beyond the theme, the event carried a deeper purpose: to challenge the status quo of climate reporting and to redefine whose stories matter.
A Story Behind the Stories
For months leading up to the awards, journalists across Zanzibar had been undergoing training and mentorship on gender-sensitive climate reporting. The programme aimed to equip media professionals with the skills to tell more inclusive, accurate, and impactful stories—particularly those highlighting women’s leadership in climate change adaptation.
The awards ceremony, therefore, was not just a celebration, but the culmination of a journey.
It was also open to all Zanzibar-based journalists, attracting 73 entries from seven media houses across print, radio, television, and digital platforms—an encouraging sign of growing engagement in climate journalism.
Bridging a Critical Gap
The initiative comes at a time when the representation of women in climate reporting remains alarmingly low.
A 2024 media gap analysis revealed that out of 4,548 climate-related media items reviewed, only 1.1 per cent featured the voices of women and girls, while a mere 0.4 per cent portrayed them as leaders in climate adaptation.
These figures tell a story of absence—one that Community Forests is now actively working to change.
By creating a platform that not only recognises but rewards gender-sensitive reporting, the awards aim to inspire journalists to tell stories that reflect the realities on the ground—where women are not just victims of climate change, but key actors in driving solutions.
Celebrating Excellence
Among the winners, Huwaida Nassor Moh’d stood out, taking home both the top prize in the radio category and the overall award—an achievement that highlights the power of storytelling when it is rooted in community voices and lived experiences.
The event was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock, Dr Salum Soud Hamed, whose presence underscored the growing recognition of media as a key partner in addressing climate challenges.
More Than an Award
While trophies were handed out and achievements celebrated, the significance of the event extended far beyond the ceremony itself.
The Community Forests Climate Journalism Awards represent a shift—one that places responsibility on the media not just to report on climate change, but to do so in a way that is inclusive, solution-oriented, and reflective of all voices.
By investing in journalists and recognising their work, Community Forests is helping to build a new generation of storytellers—ones who understand that climate change is not just an environmental issue, but also a social and gender issue.
A Trailblazing Step Forward
As the first climate journalism awards in Tanzania, the initiative sets a precedent for others to follow.
It signals a growing awareness that addressing climate change requires more than policy and practice—it also requires powerful storytelling.
And in that storytelling, women’s voices must not only be included, but amplified.
With this milestone, Community Forests has positioned itself at the forefront of climate communication—proving that meaningful change can begin not only in forests and communities, but also in the stories we choose to tell.
