Zimbabwe: Women in the media are still marginalised and negatively portrayed

A recent article by Veneranda Langa, published in Harare, lamented that as the world marked Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2011, media analysts noted with concern the marginalisation of women in the media and the negative portrayal of females in news stories.

The Zimbabwe Gender and Media Progress Study conducted by Gender Links in 2010 revealed that the proportion of women sources in the news in Zimbabwe has increased marginally, from 15% in Gender and Media Baseline Study (GMBS) to 16% in the Gender and Media Progress Study (GMPS), a 1% increase over seven years.

According the Zimbabwe GMPS report, there are variations between individual media houses, with Zimbabwe Television (ZTV) and Sunday News at 20% each, and Radio Zibwe and Financial Gazette at 11% each.

Media women must demand recognition
Veneranda Langa

As the world marked Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2011 media analysts noted with concern the marginalisation of women in the media and the negative portrayal of females in news stories.

Although women like renowned human rights lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, a seasoned defender of journalist’s rights, are noticed in the male-dominated legal profession, Zimbabwe is yet to witness very powerful women in the media field itself.

Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development Deputy Minister, Jessie Majome, said lack of women’s voices in news stories was one of the big casualties and symptoms of lack of press freedom in this country.

“Press freedom is not just about quantity of media products, it is about quality whereby all facets of society are heard, including marginalised groups such as women,” said Majome. “There is an unacceptable situation where women are not seen in the media and it means only the economically, politically and physically capacitated persons can jostle to be heard whilst everybody else is drowned. There is need to expand the base to ensure as many voices as possible are captured so that there is freedom of expression and women are visible. This would enhance quality of news.” Read more.