Dar es Salaam. Secelela Balisidya is the driving force behind Environment Media Agenda (EMA), a private media organization she founded in 2008. Her mission? To uplift women, especially in rural communities, in their fight against climate change.
Balisidya believes that real solutions come from listening to communities, not from top-down approaches. With over 25 years in communication and journalism, she combines media, advocacy, and grassroots involvement to make a meaningful impact.
Before starting EMA, she consulted for various organizations, including the United Nations and local NGOs. Her expertise in communication management helped translate complicated environmental issues into relatable messages for the public.
Her journey began in journalism, where she worked with environmental organizations like the Lawyers Environmental Action Team. This experience made her realize the gap between awareness and action; people understood the issues but struggled to change their behavior.
Balisidya recalls a significant moment when citizens questioned her about the lack of alternatives to deforestation. Many relied on charcoal sales for their livelihoods. This made her rethink her approach to communication—informing wasn’t enough; empowering was essential.
In 2008, after attending the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, she was inspired to launch EMA. Her aim was to position women as change agents rather than passive recipients of initiatives.
Since then, EMA has directly supported over 1,000 women, helping them engage in projects like beekeeping and sustainable farming. These initiatives have improved not only economic conditions but also health and community ties.
Besides climate initiatives, EMA advocates for awareness on illegal fishing, waste management, and environmental journalism. They’ve worked with journalists to enhance reporting on these critical areas, recognizing the media’s role in shaping public understanding.
Balisidya emphasizes the importance of community involvement in creating solutions. She warns against imposing outside ideas, which often lack acceptance. The key is developing solutions from the ground up, ensuring people feel ownership and commitment.
Patience is another essential lesson from her work. Navigating social and cultural complexities requires time and empathy. “Listening is crucial,” she says. “Only then can we design effective interventions.”
Her journey has led her to collaborate across borders. EMA has shared knowledge among women in Kenya and Ghana, fostering regional solidarity to tackle climate issues together.
Balisidya continues her education with a PhD in Climate Change and Sustainable Development, believing that ongoing learning is vital for communicators facing new challenges. “Learning never stops,” she asserts, clarifying that it enriches both personal and professional growth.
Her commitment to impactful communication has won her recognition, including the World Bank Award at the World Water Forum in Kyoto for a radio program about Tanzania’s water crisis. This award highlighted her responsibility to drive public discourse on pressing environmental issues.
For women communicators, she offers this advice: elevate voices that are often unheard. “These insights are critical for shaping policies that benefit all of us,” she says.
Through EMA, Balisidya is proof that leadership rooted in empathy, inclusion, and service can make a lasting difference. Her story showcases the power of communication when guided by a commitment to social justice and community empowerment.
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