Invitation: Rewriting herstory webinar

As part of celebrating World Press Freedom Day Gender Links and the Gender and Media Diversity Centre (GMDC) will be hosting a webinar on 14 May from 11.00am -12.30 pm under the theme Rewriting Herstory: Women in Politics, lessons from Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

This press freedom webinar seeks to discuss portrayal of women in politics and their access to the media and free expression. It will also look at how information and communication technologies are promoting womens free expression and telling of their stories.

The webinar aims to explore the narratives on portrayal of women leaders in general and in politics specifically. This webinar  will also feed into the ongoing discussions on gender and elections and the 50-50 campaign in light of upcoming elections in the region.

The discussion centres itself in a feminist perspective, which emphasises the role of women and having their stories told from a female perspective. It will use varying narratives of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela that emerged in the media coverage as a focal point of departure. The webinar will highlight how as citizens can play a role in holding media accountable in the manner in which it represents women.

The webinar will take place online via  Zoom https://zoom.us/j/2372695711 . Those in Johannesburg can join in on the discussion at 9 Derrick Avenue Cyrildene.

For more information see the Programme and the discuss World Press Freedom Day discussion note

Some key points of discussion include:

• What kind of coverage did Winnie Madikizela-Mandela get from the media in your country?
• What lessons can be drawn from the coverage of Winnie Madikizela Mandela
• How can women in politics navigate the political space without fear of being type casted?
• In a mostly male dominated industry, how can media be more gender aware and responsive in the coverage of women in political leaders?
• How Information and Communication Technologies have enabled women in general and women in politicians in particular to free expressly themselves.
• How can we continue shining light on the work that is done by women in leadership positions, especially in the run up to elections in many SADC countries?