Asmaa James
Sierra Leone

Asmaa James is an award winning female radio broadcaster with over 14 years of broadcasting experience in post-conflict Sierra Leone. Her passion and interests include promoting independent media platforms, creating safe spaces for diverse voices, and working with women, girls, civil society and government to promote open and transparent governance systems. She is currently station manager of Radio Democracy (www.radiodemocracy.sl), an independent, civil-society-owned radio station, where she oversees programming and operations. She was previously vice-president of the Sierra Leone Reporters Union, and president of Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL), an organization supporting the advancement of women in the media, and providing protection and capacity building for its membership. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Asmaa plans to continue her work in the independent media industry, with a focus on providing a voice for civil society, women, and girls to engage.