Media policies and ethics codes worldwide stipulate gender equality or gender non-discrimination as a principle of journalistic professional practice, yet, the empirical evidence reveals patterns of inequality, discrimination against women and biased reporting. Violence against women and girls is “among the least prosecuted and punished crimes in the world” (UN General Assembly,
Taking action against gender-related killing of women and girls, UN Women’s 16 Days campaign’s message underlines the media’s role in VAW prevention to influence social norms through awareness and messaging.
The news media have a duty to create space for the voices of those most affected not only as a professional obligation but also as a measure of accountability in order to disrupt the cycle of impunity on sexual crimes.
CALL TO ACTION:
1. Monitor news stories about sexual assault, rape, feminicide, sexual harassment and any form of gender violence;
2. Use the “media gender equality scorecard” (see below) to rate the story. Post the completed scorecard: on Instagram, tag #gmmpglobal; on Twitter, tag @whomakesthenews
3. Make use of the complaints’ mechanisms posted on the media’s webpage or your local media regulation bodies to flag stories that flout the principle of gender non-discrimination and fair reporting.
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