03 Sep 2013

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Margaret Nasha has raised concerns about lack of representation of women in decision making positions in most media houses.

Speaking at the launch of the Gender Policy for Media Houses recently, Dr. Nasha said most women who worked in media houses were employed on a part time basis and not represented at decision making level.

“In other words, they remain cub reporters and some such behind the scenes workers for life, and hardly ever rise to the level of editors,” she said.

Dr Nasha said women were capable of carrying out important duties if given the opportunity to prove themselves.  She added that women had proved themselves internationally by anchoring serious finance, economic and current affairs programs in big media houses like CNN International.

“They can do the same over Radio Botswana or Yarona FM,” she said. Dr Nasha encouraged media houses to take the Gender Policy for Media Houses seriously, even though it was not a legal document. She said implementing the policy would require dedication and constant monitoring and review.

The Gender Policy was established by seven media houses, being GABZ FM, Echo Newspaper, Duma FM, Yarona FM, Sunday Standard, The Voice and Mmegi. It aimed to ensure gender balance and sensitivity in the media house, its editorial content, programming and marketing strategies.

The policy would also help achieve gender equality for both men and women to have equal treatment and opportunities in the workplace. Dr Nasha encouraged each media house to commit itself to setting up a gender steering committee to ensure that the policy gets implemented.

“The leaders of these steering committees must be people who are passionate about gender issues. The job they do must not be treated as ‘any other business,” said Dr. Nasha.

She further encouraged media houses to treat women, not just as news objects, but as important sources of news and news makers themselves. She said coverage of women and gender issues should not only be confined to the 16 days of activism against violence on women and children.

The Speaker also spoke strongly against stories that portray women as helpless victims of circumstances, and encouraged journalists not to concentrate on negative stories about abortion and sex work as they can do more justice to coverage of gender issues. ENDS