WAN-Ifra has recognised the leadership contributions of two women in its 2018 laureates awards.

The Women in News Editorial Leadership award recognises an exemplary contribution of a woman editor to her newsroom, and under her leadership the contribution of her newspaper to society.

Two editors from Syria and Uganda will receive the award during the WAN-Ifra Women in News Summit in Estoril, Portugal, on June 6.

They are Barbara Kaija (left), group editor-in-chief of New Vision Press and Publishing in Uganda (for Africa) and Noura al Hourani (right), lead Arabic editor at Syria Direct (MENA laureate).

Kaija says the acknowledgement is "recognition for all women in the media in Africa.

"My win, is a win for all women in the newsrooms at Vision Group and all women in the media in Uganda."

MENA laureate Noura al Hourani stressed the need to empower women at all levels and ensure that they are properly represented in leadership roles, politically and professionally, especially in the Middle East. "I am incredibly grateful to Syria Direct for providing me with my first opportunity to lead, and I want to thank WAN-Ifra for their support and encouragement for women to be role models."

The Women in News Editorial Leadership Award is part of WAN-Ifra's Women in News initiative, supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.