ing partners; media associations; and representatives of media institutions in attendance. The chapters in Malawi, Namibia and Mozambique also held media award ceremonies during 2008. MISA Tanzania raised US$6,500 for the media awards. The prize money went to 15 journalists whose work was recognised for its excellence in informing citizens about corruption and governance issues in the country. The prizes were handed to the winners during the commemoration of the Right to Know Day. Notably, most award winners were recipients of training under the anti-corruption civil alliance grouping led by MISA Tanzania, the Millennium Challenge Account Building Organisational Networks for Good Governance and Advocacy (MCA-BONGA). Gender, HIV and AIDS activities In August 2008, MISA Regional Secretariat and its partners Gender Links and Gender and Media Southern Africa (GEMSA) hosted a Gender and Media Summit in South Africa. The summit, attended by more than 150 people, further entrenched advocacy for gender equality in the media and other facets of social life. It was also used as a training platform on various issues, including gender and HIV and AIDS reporting. Awards were presented to journalists during the summit in recognition of the media’s efforts and excellence in reporting about gender and HIV and AIDS. At a national chapter level, MISA Namibia hosted a series of breakfast meetings during the 16 Days of Activism in November 2008. The chapter was also appointed to sit on the Ombudsman Communities on Human Rights. MISA Namibia facilitated discussions on radio and television with stakeholders from civil society and the media addressing issues of gender-based violence as well as human rights. With support from the Global AIDS Alliance, MISA Namibia commissioned a series of papers on HIV and AIDS and reproductive health. MISA Namibia also hosted a series of cocktail evenings for journalist to discuss HIV and AIDS with support from the Namibia Planned Parenthood Association (NAPPA) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The Global AIDS Alliance supported MISA Namibia in improving journalists’ understanding of HIV and AIDS and the epidemic’s relationship to reproductive health. This is an indication that international and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) value MISA Namibia’s contribution towards addressing the issue of HIV and AIDS. In line with this, the Namibian chapter held a workshop under the theme ‘Women and girls in the media’. In partnership with GEMSA, MISA Mozambique organised a workshop on Media and Gender in Nampula province. About 25 people from the northern provinces of Mozambique participated. The sensitisation of journalists in gender reporting is ongoing and MISA Mozambique is developing a guide for reporting on women newsmakers and sources. In all, the local chapter organised 10 informal meetings with journalists on the need to use more women as sources. MISA Botswana continued its partnership with the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM) and provided training to 20 journalists on HIV and AIDS reporting. A major focus of the training was the development of writing skills to reduce stereotyping and stigmatisation of those affected and infected. In another project, MISA Botswana partnered with a local American Centre for Disease Control organisation in an effort to spread awareness about HIV and AIDS. In this past year, MISA Botswana held workshops in Kasane and Gantsi. Annual Report 2009 31