New chapter in women’s empowerment stories as Woman magazine goes digital

In a bid to redefine women’s storytelling, Woman magazine is set to embark on a digital journey starting January 1, 2024.

The shift marks a sea change as the magazine transitions to a more adaptable and user-friendly digital platform.

For years, Woman has served as a reliable source of inspiration for countless readers with its captivating stories and uplifting material.

However, recognising the audience’s shifting preferences and habits, the company has chosen to adjust to the evolving media landscape.

The shift is part of a broader strategy to expand the reach and provide a more immersive experience for readers.

To mark this new beginning, Woman initiated a vox pop where readers shared their thoughts on the transition.

Chezarina Chonya, economist and entrepreneur

The resident of Tabata, Dar es Salaam, applauds the transition, emphasising the convenience it brings readers.

She says the shift will make it much easier for her to access the magazine anywhere, at any time, unlike currently, where she sometimes gets the paper late due to various reasons and circumstances.

Chezarina wonders why the move didn’t start earlier, given that the world today is undeniably digital. She believes that, as a country, it’s time to immerse ourselves in digital technology.

“Digital is everything nowadays because it connects many people. Today, many people use smartphones to connect, entertain, and be informed. I don’t think the decision to go digital will affect me or anyone because we are already in the digital world,” explains Chezarina.

She advocates for maintaining the essence of the magazine’s narratives while exploring additional avenues.

“Honestly, Woman is one of my favourite magazines in The Citizen newspaper. As a woman, the magazine has inspired me to have self-worth, perseverance, and draw inspiration from a variety of articles published in the publication.”

“My request to the editorial team is to not end with the written material but to have a dedicated YouTube channel with dedicated segments as well. This way, a digital transition will be worth waiting for in January.”

Shalom Milele, 3D artist

Shalom, who works at TAI Plus, an animation studio in Tanzania, believes the move to digital will enhance access to information.

“As readers, our engagement with journalists will increase as people will be able to express their opinions quickly and participate more through social platforms,” she shares.

Commenting on how the transition will affect readers, Shalom acknowledges the convenience of digital access and the potential challenges for readers who appreciate the tangible experience of newspaper copies.

“Firstly, the transition brings convenience and fast access to the magazines. However, it can also bring some challenges to readers who still love and enjoy reading physical copies of the newspaper. So there will be those who will appreciate it because of the speed of the digital technology, and there will also be those who will lose the feeling of having actual physical copies to hold,” she opines.

Shalom emphasises the importance of clear engagement channels between readers and reporters, urging a seamless flow of feedback.

“It’s important to also provide clear engagement between readers and reporters to enhance and provide the opportunity for readers to share their views directly with reporters. My hope is that this digital transition will not affect the quality of the content that we are getting in print. Woman has given me a unique perspective on women's issues and provides a guide to modern life for women,” she elaborates.

Nuru Mtambo, High Court advocate

The advocate, specialising in corporate and immigration law, thinks going digital is one of the biggest moves The Citizen has made.

“Every morning when I get to the office, one of the things that I do is make sure I read The Citizen. But, as you know, newspaper agents are humans. Occasionally, they will deliver the paper late or not at all. This means I have to go out and get a copy of the newspaper myself, which can be inconvenient. With the move to the digital space, I am sure I won’t have to hustle because the paper will be available at my fingertips.”

Nuru believes relying on digital technology to have access to information is very important because of the current era where everything's digital.

In her opinion, both print and digital are equally important, and she thinks some readers will, to some extent, be affected by the move.

“I am sure there are many who will find it a bit complicated. This is due to the processes involved, such as the need to download certain apps to gain access to the newspaper. I think it’s important to have printed copies as well, because many still find it convenient to read the hard copy.” Nuru says she is ready to provide 100 percent cooperation and support to journalists through the transition.

“As a reader, I will make sure to provide full support to reporters because I think it’s time to adopt and shift to this direction; surely I will always be there.”

According to her, weekend magazines are very important, so she recommends keeping them as they provide in-depth stories.

“Honestly, Woman magazine is inspiring, and I have learnt a lot through its well-researched stories. Women's storytelling is a platform that can empower more women and encourage others. I once shared my story with women through the magazine, and I believe my story touched the lives of many,” says Nuru.

Woman's dedication to elevating women's voices will not change in light of these adjustments. The magazine will continue to tell compelling stories and continue to be a platform for sharing viewpoints and experiences in order to build an informed and empowered society.

Readers should expect to get the same high-quality content they have come to appreciate, with the convenience of interactivity and accessibility.  It’s our hope that the shift will encourage more readers to delve deeper into the inspiring stories that Woman magazine is known for.