‘Songs from Inside’ wins One World Media Women’s Solutions Reporting Award, supported by the EIB

• ‘Songs from Inside’ by Majed Neisi, Emma Ailes, and the BBC 100 Women team, broadcast by BBC World Service, wins the Women’s Solutions Reporting Award.
• Unique combination of powerful audio and creative animation give voice to women political prisoners in Teheran’s Evin prison.
• 2025 edition of the Women’s Solutions Reporting Award attracted very high-quality entries.

Fifty judges from 29 countries have made their selections across 13 categories of the One World Media Awards, including the Women’s Solutions Reporting Award, supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB). The judges, who number among the industry’s most distinguished journalists, filmmakers and media professionals, reviewed 559 entries for their overall excellence, relevance, substance, and impact.

The EIB supported the Women’s Solutions Reporting Award to celebrate stories of girls and women who have successfully addressed challenges faced by women and society. We are thrilled to congratulate Majed Neisi, Emma Ailes, and the BBC 100 Women team for Songs from Inside, broadcast by BBC World Service.

This documentary was chosen for its powerful portrayal of women political prisoners in Iran. By blending animation with immersive sound design, including haunting songs and the ambient noise of prison life, the film not only amplifies these women’s voices but also highlights their courage and creativity in the face of adversity, making for a deeply moving and thought-provoking experience.

Vivienne Francis, Director of One World Media, said, “We are proud to have partnered with EIB to celebrate journalism that amplifies the voices of women around the world—particularly those who are marginalised. This year’s winning piece, Songs from Inside, is a powerful testament to the resilience, strength, and unyielding spirit of women who, despite facing profound oppression, refuse to be silenced. A reminder that even in the darkest circumstances, hope and determination endure. We were deeply relieved to hear that the women featured in the film are safe following the recent airstrike on Evin prison.”

EIB Group President Nadia Calviño said, “The EIB Group is proud to celebrate storytellers who break stereotypes, shift perspectives, and champion women’s rights—an essential mission in today’s world. Filmmakers and journalists play a crucial role in inspiring change. At times of global turmoil and conflict, ensuring that the voices of the most vulnerable are being heard is more important than ever."

Margaret Carroll, acting Head of the EIB Social Policy Unit, and a judge for the Women’s Solutions Reporting Award, said, “This year again, from Bangladesh to Ethiopia, remarkable stories showcased women's efforts in shaping society and fighting for their rights. As the push for global gender equality continues, these stories continue to be a powerful source of inspiration."

Songs from Inside was shortlisted with two other stories: Tigray: Rape as a Weapon, by Agnès Nabat and Marianne Getti, broadcast by Arte TV and ‘Headaches, Organ Damage and Even Death’: How Salty Water Is Putting Bangladesh’s Pregnant Women at Risk by Thaslima Begum, published by The Guardian, and a special mention for Trapped in Oman, by Florence Phiri, broadcast by BBC World Service.

Check out the other great stories on the Longlist 2025 – One World Media

The judges for the Women’s Solutions Reporting Award were very impressed by the overall quality of the submissions. They appreciated the variety of storytelling styles that appealed to different audiences and the wide range of perspectives and inclusivity showcased, in particular from local journalists.

Read EIB’s judge Margaret Carroll’s blog

Get the EIB’s latest news on our One World Media Awards and Gender page.

Background information

About One World Media

One World Media is a non-profit organisation in the United Kingdom that supports journalists and filmmakers covering stories about the global south. For more than three decades, the organisation has worked with partners in the United Kingdom and around the world to strengthen international journalism and promote media coverage of global issues. The One World Media Awards will look for entries that show relevance, originality and creativity, substance and accuracy, impact and reach, diversity and quality.

About the European Investment Bank

The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances sound investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality.

The EIB Group aims to embed gender equality and in particular women’s economic empowerment in its business model and is also committed to driving gender equality in its workplace. In 2024, the EIB financed 43 projects that significantly contributed to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment across the globe, providing €3.39 billion of investment more than half of which also supported climate action.

More information: EIB gender equality initiatives.