Article by Presley Frank | Image by Frank Dufour

According to the United Nations Foundation, “Across 114 countries, women comprise only 24% of the people we read about, see, or hear from on television, radio, and in the newspapers, according to one study spanning 20 years.” Around the world, women are less likely to be represented in the media. The world cannot progress if the media is solely based around the male perspective. Women’s knowledge and insight on current events aren’t presented nearly as much as that of men. Seeking change in the representation of women as journalists, reporters, and news analysts is an important step of integrating women’s silenced perspectives on almost all issues.

If women are not incorporated as much as men are in the making of mass news that is projected to the public, how can we ensure that women’s voices are truly accounted for? “Women make up half the population, but they comprise 39% of journalists and just 26% of journalism leadership globally.” as reported by Gates Foundation. News is curated and reported mostly by men, even on issues that mostly affect women. In an article by Gates Foundation regarding the lack of representation for women in the media, Chief Communications Officer Susan Byrnes states, “And what’s clear to me is that this absence of women’s voices isn’t just an issue for journalism schools and industry panels; the implications range far wider than that. No matter where in the world you are, life is harder if you’re born a girl. If women’s knowledge, experience, and perspectives aren’t fully reflected by the media, that fundamental inequity is more likely to persist.” 

All in all, recognizing the importance of incorporating women’s viewpoints in the media is vital to making change to the systems set in place. However, there is hope for the future. In 2019, BBC founded the 50:50 Project which promotes gender inclusivity in the media. Continuing to track the data and promoting the equal representation of all genders in media is crucial for progress. Gender equality will never be achieved if women are not equal in all settings, at all times, including the media.

Sources

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/articles/women-in-media-report#:~:text=Women%20make%20up%20half%20the,26%25%20of%20journalism%20leadership%20globally.

https://unfoundation.org/blog/post/its-time-to-hear-and-see-women-in-media/

https://hbr.org/2019/06/tackling-the-underrepresentation-of-women-in-media

https://www.bbc.co.uk/5050