TV 47 health reporter, Violet Auma has set herself apart from her peers after scooping two awards at the AFP Awards 2021 held in Ukunda, Kwale County.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Auma affirmed that she came first in family planning reporting in the TV category as well as first runners-up in the overall category.
According to the broadcast journalist, her feature, Watoto na Upangaji Uzazi which delved deeper into the intricacies of birth control is what catapulted her to the top.
Auma noted that the piece received praise from her peers and the audience. The reporter also received a a cash grant alongside the prestigious award.
Further, Auma alongside other winners were accorded mentors who would assist them in sourcing stories as well as conducting research and reporting.
"The story that gave me the best in the TV category, ' kisunzi cha upangaji uzazi'. A story that shows how women are bound with cultural beliefs and traditions that hinders them in accessing modern family planning services."
" A story told among the Banyala community of Navakholo, Kakamega county that believe siring many children is a sign of wealth and women should give birth to as many children as possible," she stated.
NTV's Eunice Amollo and DW's Thelma Mwadzaya scooped second and third place respectively in the same category.
"Last year I was in the second position TV category with my story, Wasichana wapanga uzazi, a story of how young girls who opted to use contraceptives with some without knowledge of their parents to prevent teenage pregnancy," she noted.
Reflecting on her past achievements, Auma had aspirations of studying journalism at a young age.
Coming from a family of teachers, her parents had wanted her to follow in the same line, but she declined. Instead, Auma opted to pursue journalism.
In order to raise her school fees, she would sell foodstuff as well as hawk clothes. Her mother would also contribute her Chama money to go towards her fees.
She holds a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication. Transitioning to the work environment, Auma first joined Royal Media Services as a reporter at Mulembe FM and Radio Citizen.
Four years later, she began doing features on Citizen TV that gained notable reviews including Vasectomy in Siaya, Stigma around HIV and AIDS patients, Kakamega baby boomers as well as Special Passes for pregnant women in Siaya.
She left RMS in 2020 and joined TV 47, in April 2021.
