On March 4th, JHR celebrated the great work of journalists and journalism students in the DRC in reporting human rights issues through the JHR Award – the only prize in the country which recognizes excellence in human rights reporting.

 

Last month, we showcased the two winning stories produced by JHR-trained journalism students, Jean Shotsha and Alfred Bukuhi from the DRC.

 

This week, we’d like to share the two other JHR Award winners, who produced very compelling documentaries about early marriage and pregnancy in the country.

 

Bertin Mungombe, journalist for “3 Tamis” in Bukavu, Eastern DRC, covered early forced marriages in his province, South Kivu, through his documentary « Mariage précoce, femmes au devenir sombre » (Early marriage, women with a dark future). With very moving images and interviews, he delves into the condition of young women forced into marriages having a hard time in taking their destiny in their hands. Watch his story, in French, here:

 

 

Zaïna Kere Kere, journalist for “Numérica TV” in Kinshasa, won the JHR Award for her documentary « Le mariage et grossesse précoces à Kinshasa » (Early marriage and pregnancy in Kinshasa). After spending two months living side by side with young girls who also happen to be mothers, Zaïna’s story realistically describes how this situation affects the lives and future of these girls. Watch her story here:

 

 

These are just two examples of the amazing human rights reporting that is influencing change in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

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