Violence against Women and Girls in the Media
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains one of the most persistent barriers to gender equality and sustainable development. Estimates from UN Women indicate that 1 in 3 women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetime, not to mention verbal and psychological abuse.
UNESCO is committed to assisting media professionals, media organizations and other stakeholders in approaching and highlighting VAWG in an ethical and sensitized manner.
The media are our windows towards the world. They reflect the societies in which they exist, and the concerns of the communities they serve. Gender-based violence englobes difficult, often context specific, and norm driven questions of power, rights and obligations. Media can impact on the achievement of gender equality, since they have the power and capacity to inspire change in norms, attitudes and behaviours by determining whose voices are heard, why, when and in what way.
The necessity of eliminating violence and discrimination against women and girls to achieve gender equality has rightfully been highlighted in regional and international development agendas, including Agenda 2030 and SDG 5, Goal 17 of the African Union Agenda 2063 and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995).
