The World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) has called for better gender balance in journalism and a better world
The association which is an international organization that promotes communication as a basic human right, essential to people’s dignity and community made the call in a call to action to mark the International Women’s Day 2019 on March 8
Gender balance in journalism according to the organization requires a shift towards media practice that responds to the needs and interests of audiences, half of whom are women.
WACC noted that it’s Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) has found snail’s pace progress towards gender balance in the world’s news media.
“ For instance, today, for every 4 people interviewed, mentioned or seen in the news worldwide, only 1
is a woman. Across a 20-year period, the needle towards gender parity in the news media sphere
shifted by only 7 points,” it stated.
“ At this rate, it will take at least 8 more decades for numerical gender parity to be reached, all things remaining equal.”
According to Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, GMMP International Ambassador, “the evidence of under-representation is clear. There can no longer be an excuse that women are not experts on issues that make the news.
“The media – including community media networks – must take a pledge for action this International Women’s Day to shift the power and ensure gender balance in media representation. “
WACC, therefore, called on its members and networks to #BalanceforBetter in journalism by taking the following actions:
- Learn more about the status of gender equality in the world news media here.
- Apply the tools and resources from the End News Media Sexism campaign to hold your
local media accountable. Use the scorecard to rate media performance on gender-balanced
reporting. Extol good practices on Instagram @EndMediaSexism #BalanceforBetter
#EndMediaSexism #GMMP.
- Sign up to participate in the 25th Anniversary Edition of the Global Media Monitoring
Project (GMMP 2020) here.
