Call for stories on Gender Based Violence

Date: November 24, 2021

Gender Links (GL) in its capacity as secretariat of the SADC Gender Protocol Alliance is calling for stories to be published as part of its the Sixteen Days of Activism news series. GL will pay $100 for innovative and in-depth stories in online, radio or video that can be uploaded on the Gender Links News Service.

Key dates

Submit your story idea or pitch using this link	Friday 26 November.
Submit your story to media@genderlinks.org.za. Further instructions can be found below.	Date to be assigned by the editor

GL is looking for stories that focus on the following areas:

Generation Equality and Gender Based Violence
Gender Based Violence and COVID 19
Sexual Harassment
Gender Based Violence and sex work
HIV and AIDS
Menstrual Health
Gender Based Violence and Disability
Gender Based Violence, Media, and ICTs
Gender Based Violence and Human Rights Defenders

Process

Phase One: Pitching your story idea

Please pitch your story idea capturing the essence of your proposed story by filling this form https://genderlinks.org.za/contribute/.
Submit your pitch by Friday 26 November 2021
Your pitch should answer the five W’s and H – Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How?
Your pitch should indicate whether it is print/online, television or a radio story
Your pitch should indicate the theme your story will focus on as per the themes above.
Story pitches will be accepted on a rolling basis.
This pitch will be received by the editor for review on a rolling basis.
For those accepted you will receive a response for your pitch, with an explanation and or suggestions. This will include the deadline for submitting your story.
Pitches and articles in French are accepted.
If accepted, you should then compile the story.

Phase Two: Submitting your full article

Compile and submit your story within the given time frame.
Submit your article on the full submission form which can be found here
Your articles should be at least 1000 words -1800 words.
Upload your full story, a captioned high resolution photo, and for broadcast stories upload the radio and video clips and an accompanying picture. Your photo should be in landscape layout.
Please also tick the editorial sign off section in the full story submission form. Click here to review GL editorial guidelines.
Click here to view photo guidelines.
All stories will be published in November –December 2021.
Once the story has been received for publication and published GL will effect payment and indicate that this has been done. Click here to view the bank details that will be required and please have these ready.
Journalists will receive a $100 honorarium for stories published.

Criteria for gender sensitive reporting

Gender balance of sources: For the media to produce coverage that is complete and diverse, it is critical that the news reflects the world as seen through the eyes of women as well as men and other genders.
Agents of change: Journalists can help to change attitudes by portraying women as they really are rather than re-enforcing gender-based stereotypes.
Gender balance is good journalism: Professionalism journalism demand that all voices and perspectives are covered.
Language is value ridden: Language is key, do not use male descriptors to describe all people. Describe the differential impact on all the relevant groups.
Data disaggregation: Breakdown data so that there is a perspective on how the issue affects everyone not just one homogenous group.
Fairness: Ensure that all views are included and treated with equal weight.
Challenge stereotypes: Focus on women’s views not their appearance or their perceived gender roles such as being wives and mothers.
Accountability: Hold stakeholders accountable for their actions or lack of action.
Research: Thoroughly research your subject, ensure accuracy and clarity. Sift out what is fact and opinion.

Examples of stories

Medium	Theme	Description of the story	Link
Print	Age of sexual consent	Mmegi: The story covers a motion in Parliament to increase the age of sexual consent to 18. Activists are concerned that the increased age stipulation will make young people engaged in sex below the age of 18 criminals.	Double-Edged Sword In Sexual Consent Bill
Television	Rape and justice	The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC): Reverend Omotoso raped several young as head of his church. The story raises concerns about the one of the key witnesses Cheryl Zondi was treated by the accused’s legal counsel.	Omotoso trial to resume in SA
Radio	Coverage of the 22^nd Global HIV and AIDS conference and the increases in infections in young women	Radio 702: Eusebius Kaiser interviewing Deputy Executive Director, Wits Institute for Sexual and Reproductive Health, HIV and Related Diseases (WHI) Professor Francois Venter about the rate of infections in SADC and about young women’s vulnerabilities.	SA sees 44% drop in new HIV infections

Background

Every year the United Nations declares the period from the 25 November, International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women, to the 10 December, International Human Rights Day, as the 16 days of no violence against women across the globe. Women’s Voice and Leadership South Africa, Gender Links (GL) and partner organisations will implement the Sixteen Days of Activism 2021 under the banner #AwarenessActionAccountability. Download the concept note. Download the programme. Read more here