‘Media grappling with gender inequality’

THE media industry continues to grapple with a substantial gender gap with women notably absent from top managerial and editorial positions, NewsDay can report. In an interview with NewsDay recently, Africa Region WAN-IFRA Women In News deputy-executive director Jane Godia (pictured) said women representation in top managerial and editorial positions remained noticeably poor.

She said the problem was not affecting Zimbabwe alone, but the entire world.

“Women are missing as business or editorial leaders. Statistics indicate that one in four women hold top editorial positions and one in seven hold top business leader positions. This is the global situation.

“The gap exists in the stories that we produce. Only about 25% of stories are about women and even content production is also around the same number,” Godia said.

Gender diversity and representation in the media can contribute to a more inclusive and balanced portrayal of societal issues and concerns, she said.

Godia explained: “Gender equality, diversity and inclusion are the current currency. It ensures that everyone is brought on board. Equality ensures everyone is taken into consideration and has rights to tools and opportunities, diversity allows for various perspectives.

“Inclusion makes everyone feel safe and included. Inclusion ensures that all collaborators and staff can bring their whole selves to the workplace, regardless of identity.

“Inclusion fosters creativity and innovation by recognising and embracing differences. The media is the mirror of society and media must be able to demonstrate to society that it’s possible to offer equal opportunity to all and that everyone’s opinion matters.”

Meanwhile, WAN-IFRA, through its Women In News programme has capacitated women to take up leadership positions through its skills building events taking place in Zimbabwe which are expected to benefit several women in the sector.

“In the skills building sessions that we have, we are building the capacity of female journalists. Through the Leadership Accelerator, we want to build the capacity of women so they can take up leadership and management positions.

“They all get soft and technical skills building. These also help them to understand themselves better; determine the paths their careers should follow.

“They build their self-esteem and can negotiate for positions they want and even promotions,” she added.