Meet GMMP Portugal Coordinator Rita Basílio de Simões

16 Abr Meet GMMP Portugal Coordinator Rita Basílio de Simões

Name: Rita Basílio de Simões
GMMP Coordinator for: Portugal
Since: 2019

Why are you a GMMP coordinator? What motivated you to lead the GMMP?

I have been involved with the GMMP for years and have had the honour of serving as the national coordinator since 2019. My longstanding involvement with the GMMP has been fueled by a deep commitment to promoting gender equality in media representation.

I chose to lead the GMMP as national coordinator because I believe in the transformative power of media representation. Gender bias and inequality are often perpetuated by the images and narratives we consume daily. My academic background and research in media studies have shown me that monitoring is an essential tool for holding media accountable. I was motivated to contribute actively to a project that not only highlights these biases but also provides data-driven insights to foster positive change.

How are you using the GMMP methodology, tools and findings? How have any of these dimensions of the GMMP shaped the work of your organization, institution or network?

I have applied the GMMP methodology by integrating its tools and data into both academic research and media literacy initiatives. Through teaching, I bring the GMMP’s findings into the classroom, encouraging students to critically examine gender representation in media.

Additionally, we use GMMP data to inform public discussions, including with media professionals; conferences; and policy recommendations aimed at fostering fair and balanced representation in Portuguese media.

The GMMP has had a profound impact on our institution’s approach to media studies. It has broadened the scope of research topics and inspired collaborative projects on gender and media representation.

At a broader level, the GMMP findings have strengthened our partnerships with public institutions and also advocacy organizations, giving them evidence to back up calls for gender equality in the media and enabling us to work as a bridge between academia, activism, and policy.

What positive change has the GMMP driven in your context? What contribution has it made to the process towards gender equality in or through the media?

The GMMP has increased awareness of gender biases in media representation within Portugal, making future and current media outlet professionals more conscious of their portrayal of gender. It has also contributed to the implementation of gender-sensitive guidelines in some newsrooms. By providing hard data, GMMP has empowered stakeholders to demand change, contributing to a gradual but positive shift in both policy and practice towards more balanced representation.

As we mark the GMMP’s 30th anniversary now in 2025, why do you believe that it is crucial for the GMMP to continue?

As we mark the GMMP’s 30th anniversary, its continuation is more vital than ever. Media landscapes are constantly evolving, with new platforms and formats that impact gender representation in complex ways. GMMP’s work is essential for tracking these changes and ensuring that we keep pushing towards equity and fairness. The data generated by the GMMP serves as a powerful reminder of the progress we’ve made—and the work that still lies ahead in achieving genuine gender equality in media worldwide.

Rita Basílio de Simões is a professor in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Coimbra in Portugal and a researcher at the Centre for Social Studies.

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