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Kigali Declaration sets the agenda for ending violence against women and girls in and through the media
Organized in the backdrop of the , which is observed annually all over the world, the conference aimed to set the agenda and raise awareness on the role of media in gender violence by demanding strict accountability to address acts of violence against women in and through the media, both online and offline. It called to action media managers and professionals to ensure gender sensitive policies and practices in newsrooms and in the field to provide safe workspaces for their female colleagues. The event featured women media practitioners, academia, journalism students, policy actors, civil society and development partners such as UNESCO, UN Women and the Fojo Media Institute and the McArthur Foundation among other media stakeholders.
According to the report, a regular 5-year based research series on selected gender indicators for the media, 1% of the stories in the media are focused on gender-based violence globally. Africa accounts for only 4% of such news compared to other continents worldwide. The report also noted that 7 to 9 out of 10 stories on sexual harassment, rape, and other forms of gender violence either reinforce or do not counter the status quo on gender stereotypes which then normalizes violence in societies and within the media.
Focused on gender-based violence in the media
Gender-based violence stories in the media globally
Reinforce gender stereotypes in the media
Goodwill from those in power was highlighted as playing a critical role in combating gender violence. In her opening remarks, Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Ms. Yolande Makolo emphasized that good leadership is a sustainable remedy to address the systemic harms experienced by women in the media. Her sentiments were echoed by Ambassador of Sweden to Rwanda, H.E. Ms. Johanna Teague who lauded the Rwanda media fraternity for committing to implement the National Media Anti Sexual Harassment Policy. This move would be a game-changer in fighting gender violence and sexual harassment in the Rwanda media.
The media is a strong force for social transformation. It has the potential to support societies and end violence and discrimination. Media content has a huge potential to change mindsets and norms about men and women.
During her keynote address, Regional Advisor for Communication and Information for Africa, Ms. Misako Ito highlighted the global context of violence experienced by women in the media based on the 2020 UNESCO report . She mentioned the high number of cases of violence against women journalists in online spaces, who must maintain an online presence due to the nature of their work. According to the report, 73% of women journalists experienced a form of online violence, of which 20% resulted in real-life attacks. Additionally, she reported that the found that while over 41% of women journalists had experienced verbal or physical harassment at the workplace, only 1 in 5 reported the incidence.
The conference combined a rich blend of culture and expertise and allowed for interactive sessions between expert presenters and the audience in various formats. Panel discussions, workshops, fishbowl talks, visual displays and fireside chats were set in place to allow participants experience and learn from the wide array of knowledge present. Featured themes included but were not limited to:
- Sexual harassment awareness and action
- Gender-based violence in film, TV and other visual media
- Tackling digital violence against women in and beyond media
- The role of the media in countering misinformation and disinformation on gender-based violence
- Policies and strategies against gender-based violence in media organizations
- Ethical and gender sensitive reporting of gender-based violence in the African media space
Experts agreed that good practice in the profession coupled with accountability and professionalism in covering gender violence stories, would greatly reduce stigma while raising awareness of these issues in Africa, where gender violence presents manifests itself in different forms online or offline. Women in media are often forced to endure sexual slurs from colleagues, sextortion, online self-censorship, and premature exits from the profession. In academia, fewer women take up journalism as a course because they fear the profession. Media organizations either lack adequate policies or suffer from poor implementation of existing policies to tackle gender violence, which further aggravates the situation. In her closing statement, Rwanda’s Minister for Gender and Family Promotion, Hon. Valentine Uwamariya further emphasized the importance of upholding inclusivity in workstations to ensure safer working conditions for women journalists.
Imagine a world where we do not have to listen to reports of gender based violence in the media because there are none to report. Where the media includes women perspectives in their content and in their organizational practices, in the way they work and in the way the think.
The AWiM conference culminated in a historic moment—the creation of the draft zero Being the first of its kind in the world, the declaration was adopted by the Africa women journalists and stakeholders present to set a precedence for extinguishing gender violence. It charts the path to a more gender responsive media landscape in Africa and in the world. It is anticipated that the declaration will usher in a conscious effort by all identified stakeholders to offer more support to women in media and produce quality gender-based stories that will eliminate the stereotyping and stigmatization of gender-based violence.
Let us have ownership, let us be sensitive, let us know, that this is happening in our midst as the media and let us take concrete action against it.
