PIWA develops awareness raising action to “facilitate the formation and expression of citizen public opinions that favor promotion and respect for the universality of human rights, as well as the exercise of governance that is truly democratic (transparent, accountable and participatory)”.
PIWA aims to sensitize:
The media in order for them to:
Better exercise their social responsibilities with respect to their various audiences, including specific audiences (women, sexual minorities, generational, religious, and ethnic) and respect their professional ethics.
Increase their independence with respect to various powers, in a West African context that is being restructured due to globalization and the rise of religious extremism; as well as with respect to interest, political, geopolitical, economic and religious groups.
Civil society organisations and movements in order for the latter to:
Develop better synergies between their respective communication actions and strategies.
Understand and better consider the increasing importance of the role of communication in their advocacy strategies, in a context characterized by “a more and more open clash of opinions”.
PIWA develops advocacy-support actions in order to “strengthen the influence of key social change agents vis-à-vis public authorities and opinion leaders”
PIWA supports advocacy actions targeting:
Media regulatory frameworks and policies that are more conducive to information pluralism (legal recognition of community radios as “third sectors” of information (Niger); access to information (Senegal); and the right to communicate (Women and Youths in particular) (Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger).
Adoption and application of laws on certain human rights. These specifically concern violence against women: early marriage in Niger; Family Code and genital mutilations in Mali. Or in favor of the political participation of women (Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire). Or against homophobia (African Commission for Human and Peoples Rights).
PIWA assists civil society organisations, especiallly some specific ones – women, youths, and artists –in their advocacy action targeting policy makers (national and local) and opinion leaders (religious leaders especially).
PIWA helps create and consolidate:
Regular platforms for discussion between the media and civil society organizations (periodic public conferences and national and local forums) on media coverage of certain human rights-related issues, notably the rights of women and LGBT persons, as well as on governance (Environment).
Permanent institutions to monitor media coverage of certain sensitive issues (Women and the Media Observatory).
Media literacy for certain audiences: women, high school students.
Creation of frameworks for regular discussions.
Open and referenced discussions, in person or on the media – on traditional media and social networks–.
