Mainstreaming gender in the media - linking CSOs & the media in the development sector
Many girls and women in the Commonwealth do not have equal opportunities to exercise rights recognized by law. Media coverage of women is insufficient and very often reinforces gender stereotypes. This project seeks to contribute to the third MDG (i.e. to “promote gender equality and empower women”) by building capacity and creating a network of PSBs and CSOs with a specific emphasis on gender development stories. The project also aims to raise awareness about gender discrimination and gender-based censorship within the media and to address stereotypes.
A five-day training workshop on mainstreaming gender in the media was successfully organized from 16th - 20th February 2015 in New Delhi, India. The workshop was attended by 18 NGOs working in the field of gender and by media practitioners interested in reporting on gender issues from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India. The workshop was designed and delivered with a high level of interactive participation, using group work, discussion, brainstorming, practical exercises and field trips with the following key objectives: - To encourage greater engagement between the NGOs working on gender issues in the development sector, and the mainstream broadcasters in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India - To foster new relationships between NGOs and the media, which in turn would lead to future collaboration in the production of news stories, features or discussion programmes. - To initiate debate on gender issues between NGOs and Media, and to encourage greater sensitivity around reporting on these issues. - Skills training for both groups. - Part of the workshop was set aside for joint planning so NGOs and programme makers could initiate story ideas, and discuss possible future productions.