The Women Who Tell Our Stories: Addressing GBV in the Media

Nafisa is a young budding journalist fresh out of university with an eagerness to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a journalist. It's her first day at her dream job, she brims with excitement, her mind buzzing with a thousand ideas, imagining a future where her stories make a real difference and leave a lasting impact. However, months into her role, she stands at a crossroads, contemplating her career choice and wondering if she should perhaps trade her lofty ambitions for a safer, more predictable path.

This is the harsh reality for many ambitious, young women like Nafisa who plunge into the journalism industry with high hopes, only to encounter a world rife with harassment, abuse and systemic inequality. A 2017 survey by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) revealed that nearly half of women in this field, have faced sexual harassment, psychological abuse, online trolling, and other forms of gender-based violence. One-third have considered leaving the profession altogether, with this rate even higher among younger journalists. Many don't report these incidents, fearing inaction or potential career damage. For survivors, the journey to justice and healing is often complicated by how their stories are presented. The use of sensationalized language, the tendency to focus on the victim’s personal life rather than the perpetrator’s actions, or even implying that the victim is somehow responsible, can all contribute to harmful stereotypes and a culture of victim-blaming.

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), as part of its broader commitment to promoting gender equality in the media, is actively working to empower more women journalists and combat gender-based violence and stereotypes in the media space and beyond. Through its "Equal Voices" project, in collaboration with Canal France International (CFI), the MFWA recently held a transformative 4-day workshop in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. The training empowered 32 female journalists across the two countries, including freelancers, with insights on gender equality and leadership skills needed to succeed in their careers.

A standout session, led by Dr. Aurelia Ayisi, Lecturer at the University of Ghana was on the topic, "Women and Leadership in the Newsroom: Navigating Professional Environments”. She discussed how journalism is a great platform to advocate for gender equality, and also provided insights into how women can navigate professional environments, manage workplace dynamics, and achieve a healthy work-life balance. She emphasized the media must not only report on gender-based violence but also foster a culture that unequivocally rejects such behavior. “Advocacy against GBV shouldn't just be a women's issue, our male colleagues are our best allies”. Dr. Aurelia's insights were empowering, highlighting the need for a safe and supportive newsroom environment, especially for young female journalists facing multiple layers of discrimination and abuse.

Moreover, she stressed the importance of addressing the gender pay gap. Equal pay for equal work isn't just a slogan—it's a fundamental right. Media organizations must commit to transparency in pay structures and actively work to close the gap. This involves regular salary audits, clear promotion pathways, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion at all levels of the newsroom. Reflecting on this workshop, it became clear how important it is to confront these issues head-on.

We need newsrooms where reporters feel safe to report attacks and where management treats online threats as seriously as offline ones. Comprehensive safety policies and peer support networks are crucial as a necessary first step. This includes establishing clear reporting mechanisms, offering support services to victims, and implementing consequences for perpetrators both internally and externally. When journalists feel safe in their own workplaces, they are more empowered to tell important stories and advocate for justice and equality in society.

Additionally, training media personnel on how to report on GBV sensitively can have a profound impact. Programs that teach journalists to recognize and challenge biases, avoid victim-blaming language, and interview survivors respectfully can shift the way stories of GBV are told. On the other hand, female journalists like Nafisa must develop resilience and confidently navigate male-dominated spaces, despite attempts to undermine their youthfulness and work. Finding supportive allies is invaluable, and facing these challenges and emerging stronger is possible.