As part of AHJ’s initiative, Voix des Femmes Sans Frontières (VFSF) (Women’s Voices Without Borders) supported by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, AHJ is pleased to announce a call for applications for its technical workshop and masterclass for women in Iraq. VFSF aims to promote the professional integration of young women into the fields of media and communication by equipping them with skills in digital media production, communication for development and covering topics related to human rights and environment.
Presentation of AHJ: AHJ is a non-governmental organization (NGO) established under French law in 2017 and registered in Kurdistan since February 2019. The organization provides professional training in journalism, human rights, and art & culture to individuals from conflict and post-conflict areas, with a particular focus on women activists, journalists, and artists. Its goal is to support access to higher education and professional integration. By focusing on education, protection, and networking, AHJ empowers its beneficiaries to defend their rights and amplify their voices. These efforts foster connections between experienced professionals and emerging talents, transcending borders to enable women to advocate for their rights and share their perspectives.
The VFSF Iraq project is an extension of AHJ's actions, which have enabled more than 350 women journalists, activists, and students to be trained in journalism techniques and legal frameworks, communications, and human rights. VFSF has been recognized twice by UN Women France and the Generation Equality Forum in 2021. In 2023, VFSF was recognized as a key solution for peace and stabilization in conflict zones by the Paris Peace Forum (#PPF2023).
VFSF Iraq aims to accelerate gender equality and promote human rights through the education, protection, and networking of Iraqi women journalists, and to contribute to the professional integration of women in the media and in civil society. In 2022, with the support of CDCS, AHJ launched the first cohort of its VFSF Iraq initiative, aimed at supporting the professional integration of women graduates in media, young journalists, and professionals in the communication and civil society sectors in Iraq. Eleven participants benefited from professional training, mentoring, and internships, learning how to produce content on issues related to gender equality and women's rights. They became podcasters, equipped with both technical and theoretical tools, and found their places as journalists and media and communication professionals within media organizations and civil society structures. More than 20 women podcasters have been trained since the beginning of VFSF Iraq, and over 68 podcasts and 9 live podcast events have been produced and published within the framework of VFSF Iraq. In the framework of the new action plan for VFSF Iraq 2 (2024-2025) the first graduates were trained on vodcast production training and with their contribution a vodcast studio has been launched in our office in Erbil.
Presentation of VFSF Iraq 2:
VFSF Iraq 2 aims to accelerate the empowerment and integration of women journalists, activists, and media and civil society professionals in Iraq by enhancing their knowledge of human rights and environmental issues and their advocacy and communication skills. The project seeks to promote the creation and dissemination of independent and free media productions led by women, while diversifying content and production techniques. It also aims to amplify the voices of women in Iraq.
Presentation of the training program of Podcast Production Level 1:
VFSF Iraq is targeting 10 emerging voices and talents, offering them technical training in podcast production. Level 1 Training on Podcast Production Techniques will be open for young women journalists and students from different regions in Iraq. Over 10 days of on-site training in Erbil, followed by 3 months of remote mentorship, 10 participants will gain the skills to create impactful podcasts addressing themes of women’s rights, human rights and climate change in Iraq. The result will be 10 unique podcasts published on the AHJ’s platforms (Makanati and VFSF), amplifying free female voices and fostering change through storytelling.
Who can apply?
● Are you a young freelance woman journalist or a current master’s student in
journalism and communication or a fresh graduate in the field of media, human
science or information technology, based in Iraq?
● Do you want to advance your career in the communication and technical aspects of
media and find your place in the media industry or civil society organizations?
● Are you interested in the topics of environment, climate change, women and
leadership?
● Are you skilled in the English language?
● Are you skilled in writing and reporting?
● Are you confident in your commitment and ability to learn?
● Do you want to participate in the change of the status of women in the media and
society?
● Do you have basic skills in audio or video production?
● Are you able to participate full time in the program from April 2025 to June
2025?
If YES, then you are the ideal candidate for the second cohort of VFSF Iraq!
How to apply?
The candidate should submit an application on the following link before 11th March
2025.
Please note that the selection process will be in 2 steps.
Step 1: Submission through application form: You should respond to all the questions
and attach your CV and Cover Letter in English and PDF format. Please note that you will
be shortlisted on the basis of your complete answers and your interest on the specific
questions, so PLEASE take your time to fill out the application form.
Step 2: Selection of shortlisted candidates: Only the shortlisted candidates will be
contacted by the AHJ team in March and will be invited for an online interview
to assess their commitment and interest in the workshop's objectives.
Are you ready?
Apply HERE!
For any questions please contact AHJ’s team :