Population Matters
Media Awards 2026

Comfort is an award-winning journalist, photojournalist, and strategic communications expert whose work bridges journalism, advocacy, and international development. Her reporting, published in respected global outlets, explores gender, disability, identity, and social justice, amplifying voices and experiences often overlooked in mainstream narratives. In the development sector, she designs communication strategies, leads journalist capacity-building initiatives, and supports organizations to craft ethical, inclusive, and community-rooted storytelling. As an advocate, Comfort champions gender equity and disability inclusion through narrative, photography, and public engagement. She uses storytelling as a tool to challenge stigma, expand representation, and strengthen community agency. Her work reflects a deep commitment to ethical media practice and to elevating stories that inspire awareness, accountability, and social change.

Josefina is a journalist and researcher working in the intersection of violence, inequality, social justice and gender in the Americas. Over the last two decades, she has reported from across Latin America and the Caribbean for non-for-profit organizations, think tanks and media outlets. Her work has been published in media outlets including The Guardian, Al-Jazeera, El Pais, Newsweek, NACLA, Vice and La Nación. She has worked with Amnesty International, InSight Crime, The Washington Office on Latin America and the Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime among others.

Makmid is the Regional Director for Africa and the Middle East at the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM). He is a Sierra Leonean human rights leader, democracy advocate, and development communications practitioner, with 20 years’ experience working with national and international development, human rights, and grantmaking organisations in Africa and the United Kingdom. Prior to joining IFPIM, he founded Reform Initiatives, an organization focusing on democracy, transitional justice & human rights and reparatory justice. Before that, he was the founding Director of the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF), based in Accra, Ghana. Makmid started his career as a journalist in Sierra Leone and has written several articles and reports on human rights and social justice and development issues for high-profile African and European publications and institutions. He has worked with international organizations including Amnesty International, Concern Worldwide and Oxfam GB. He is a Rotarian, a Senior Global Atlantic Fellow, and an Obama Foundation Leader – Africa.

Rasheedat is a Nigerian journalist and media professional with a passion for development-focused and public-interest reporting. She is committed to telling accurate, balanced, and people-centred stories that highlight issues affecting governance, health, education, gender equality, security, culture, and community development. Rasheedat loves to work with data to interpret and analyse social issues for clear and engaging narratives that inform and educate the public. Through her work, she amplifies credible voices, promotes evidence-based dialogue, and upholds ethical journalism standards. Her reporting reflects a strong belief in the power of the media to shape public discourse and drive positive social change. Rasheedat works with Radio Nigeria, the largest radio network in Africa.

Roshani Adhikari is a seasoned communication professional with experiences of more than 20 years in environmental issues, sustainable development, gender justice and media advocacy. She has worked at strategic level for Nepal Peace Trust Fund (NPTF), private sector and government entities. From September 2022 to 2024, she served as the President of the Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) — a leading organization of environmental journalists in Nepal that has been active for nearly four decades. She was also the first woman to lead this institution since its establishment 4 decades ago. She currently serves as a Board Member of the Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation (SMCRF), contributing to the conservation and research of Nepal’s small mammal species. From October 2025 to 2029, she is serving as the IUCN Regional Councillor for South and East Asia, representing the region at a global level.