Systemic challenges, such as the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions, workplace inequalities, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), such as sexual harassment among other issues continue to persist within the Media Industry.
It is against this background that a Strategic Document to address these disparities and to amplify the voices of female journalists in the Ghanaian media space has been launched in Accra.
The document was developed to promote gender equality in the media as part of the Equal Voices Project, an initiative by the Media Foundation for West Africa, in partnership with Canal France International (CFI).
The Equal Voices Project Strategic document was informed by extensive baseline research and four strategic dialogues, held with key stakeholders in the Ghanaian Media. Some sessions were also held in Cote D’Ivoire. It projects obstacles to gender equality and provides a roadmap with actionable steps to address the gender disparities in the media. A Journalism Lecturer, Dr. Aurelia Ayisi and Executive Director, Women, Media and Change (WOMEC), Dr. Charity Binka were Consultants on the Project. Dr. Binka shared some observations.
Public Affairs Officer of the Ghana Journalists Association Madam Rebecca Ekpe, who spoke on behalf of the President said the GJA made a call to action to address the disparities within the media. Madam Ekpe said there is the need to embrace diversity in storytelling and build the capacity of journalists to avoid perpetuating the stereotypes among other issues.
The Equal Voices Strategic document was launched by Professor Audrey Gazeksport of the Department of Communications Studies, University of Ghana. She highlighted how under representation and stifling the voices of women pose a challenge to the information being disseminated within the media space. Professor Gadzekpo says a lot more needs to be done to attain SDG 5 by 2030.
Some beneficiaries of the Project also shared how they have been impacted by the project.
The Strategic document on promoting Gender Equality in the Ghanaian Media presents an opportunity to redefine the Ghanaian media as a catalyst for societal transformation.