Media literacy

Gender Links has developed a Gender and Media literacy course aimed at enhancing the ability of citizens to engage critically with media content. First piloted in South Africa in 2006, GL’s Gender and Media Literacy course has since been replicated in thirteen SADC countries. The training has also targeted different groups including the general public, women in politics, school going learners and trainers.

GL is getting the course accredited with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Skills and knowledge to be gained from this course include:

  • Conceptual knowledge around gender and media
  • Monitoring skills: quantitative and qualitative
  • IT for media advocacy skills
  • Writing skills
  • Giving feedback to the media

A tool kit, “Watching the Watchdogs,” has been developed to guide the course. It draws from research and training material developed over a number of years on gender and the Southern African media.

Regional

In 2008 Gender Links rolled out the media literacy course in the SADC region. Four countries, Botswana, Mauritius, Namibia and Seychelles participated in the regional pilots that were conducted between June and October 2008. Different target groups benefited from these projects. Gender Links partnered with the Gender and Media Southern African Network (GEMSA) and the Gender and Media Diversity Centre (GMDC) to roll out the course. Click here for the report. The focus for 2009-2010 is on women in decision making as well as members of the general public in countries where the project is being piloted. The course has been extended to five new countries. Courses have been held in Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia.

Botswana

2008:
Report

Participants project

DRC

2009:
Report
Participants projects

Lesotho

2011: Media literacy report, National University of Lesotho

2009: Report
Participants projects

Malawi

2011/12: Media literacy training, Malawi Institute of Journalism

Media literacy training, Malawi Polytechnic

Mozambique

2009/2010:
Report

Mauritius

2008:
Report

Participants projects

Namibia

2008: Report
Participants projects

South Africa

2011: Media Literacy for Women Informal Traders
2010:
Media Literacy for Community Radio
2009:
Media Literacy course
2008: Participants projects
2006: Reports and outputs

Swaziland

2009: Report
Participants projects

Zambia

2009: Report
Participants projects

Zimbabwe

2010: Media Literacy report, University of Science and Technology

Training Toolkit

A tool kit, â € œWatching the Watchdogs,â €  has been developed to guide the course. It draws from research and training material developed over a number of years on gender and the Southern African media. Read more.