In today’s modern world, the media plays a vital role to people and also the people who are involved in representing the media. When we talk about gender equality, it deals with giving both gender equal right, thereby not showing any form of inequality to the female gender.
By Habiba Abdul
Women play a vital role in the society, yet they are being treated unequal, simply because people feel they are women and their voices shouldn’t be heard.
Women are being discriminated, marginalized, oppressed and exploited.
In other words, they tend to face gender inequality which entails giving favour or placing one over the other. In Nigeria today, we still have some media industries who give out roles or responsibilities to men mostly, simply because they feel a woman is below the man or under a man. Hence this denies women of their right.
The word gender equality means giving both parties [male and female] fairness or equal treatment according to their respective needs. The needs can be benefits, obligations, equal payments ,e.t.c.
The media can change people’s perception of how the society see women through shaping their opinion and attitude.
Most times the media portray women in a negative manner however, the media is gradually seeing that the role of a woman does not end in the kitchen.
There is need for women to support their husbands. Therefore, it shouldn’t be seen that the women are competing with the men, but to see it as a way of encouraging the women in various area of study like journalism.
This implies that women are supposed to be assigned roles and responsibilities not because they are women, but the media should see them as professionals too.
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It also implies that women who work very hard like the men too should be paid equally. If gender equality is encouraged in media environment, it will shape people’s view which will make people to stop seeing women as object of negativity.
Thereby boosting the confidence of women and making them feel they play a great importance in the society and boosting their morale.
Many times, gender inequality exposes women to certain setback such as; gender bias and discrimination, stereotyping and sexism, limited career advancement opportunities, sexual harassment, threat to their families, cyber bullying, limited access to leadership position, unequal pay e.t.c.
A woman is sometimes exposed as threat to her family because some will find their self as single mothers. It is not because they do not want to keep their marriages but because of spouses who do not understand what journalism is all about.
This may be as a result of the cultural environment, believes or religious environment the woman may tend to find her self.
Another obstacle which women are prone to at a higher risk is sexual harassment.
Many occasion you find out that most women who are victims do not want to speak up simply because of religious ethics, cultural background, traditional believes and the fear of stigmatization.
If this happens, it deprives women of their dignity, thereby making women to loose confidence due to absence of gender equality.
Another obstacle women are faced with in the media industry is cyber bullying. nowadays people use social media the way they like because of freedom of expression and information.
You can see content that are posted in a negative way just to tarnish women’s image, in other to create wrong impression on how people should see women.
Online abuse or cyber bullying should be dealt with in a broader context, this is to ensure that the same right that people have offline should be protected online. Therefore media should adopt wide guidelines on identifying and monitoring online abuse.
If cyber bullying isn’t tackled, it can lead to character assassination of the female journalist, low self esteem and can make the woman involve loose credibility. online abuse can limit the female journalist to certain things.
Limited positions to leadership is also a stumbling block which women face in the media outlet today.
Some media outlet prefer giving the leadership positions to the men rather than female. Why is it so? Maybe they feel a woman is usually below a man’s standard or feel the woman will not lead excellently when given the opportunity in leadership.
But have they forgotten the adage that says “what a man can do a woman can even do better.”
To foster a more diverse and good environment, proactive measures are needed to enhance gender inclusivity and empower women in the industry.
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Stereotypical representation of how women are portrayed in the media is also a challenge to the female journalist.
At times the men are usually shown to be more powerful, dominant or active. On the other hand, the woman is seen as a mere object that should always depend on a man or seen as powerless or incompetent.
An example is when a media house use a male voiceover in an advert in which the advert is targeted at women, it will imply in the mind of the people at all times that a woman has to depend on a man to tell them what to do.
The media tend to make it look like all the time that women should only be at home to play the role of a wife or care givers, while simply the man should provide.
Even if ideally women are home makers, they tend to give no recognition or attention to those who are working class making it look like a woman is always dependent on a man. It is something which should be frowned at because gender equality entails equality to all and everyone is entitled to their right.
However, the issue of unequal pay is also not left out. The media outlets at times are fond of not paying their female staffs the same amount of salaries with the men even when the same responsibilities are entitled to both parties. It is the right of every human being to be treated equally and one shouldn’t be judged simply because the person involved is a female.
But equal pay should be given base on the professionalism and responsibilities done. Gender based discrimination is also a key factor that hinders female journalist in discharging their duties adequately.
Some media outlet do not see the need to employ women simply because they feel a woman is below the standard of a man. Some women face this discrimination because of their marital status.
Some people may think the women do not carry out their professional duties because they have to take care of their families, women are even made to resign or get fired.
Gender based discrimination is seriously affecting the women in journalism. This is because the media has portrayed in the mind of people to see women in a negative way. In other words, the media is a powerful tool that can be used to portray women in a positive manner.
If the media can address gender base issues positively it would go a long way and it won’t affect women’s active participation and contribution in active development.
Gender equality in media is a fundamental human right which should be greatly looked upon for a peaceful and sustainable media environment.
Therefore, to avoid gender inequalities and sustain a favourable media environment.
Certain solutions has to be taken into consideation in order to maintain gender equalities, this solutions can be met if the media organizations abort the policy of gender discrimination regarding the work profile and salary structure of male and female. They should get equal opportunity.
However, female journalist should not work at odd hours. If they are to work at odd hours base on certain circumstances they find themselves in, then proper pick and drop facilities should be provided.
Flexible working hours should be considered for working mums too Female journalist should try and come together to amplify their voice.
The Nigerian women of journalist (NAWOJ) should fight for the intrest and welfare of its members and collaborate with female lawyers to do the needful.
Also, women who are yet to join the NAWOJ association should join so as to enjoy the benefits attached to the association. By setting agenda setting theory, the media should say positive things to encourage the women.
Thereby shaping the opinion of what the audience would think about women. Another issue is ensuring the safety of female journalist.
It is the responsibility of the media to see that both genders are comfortable and not exposed to danger terrain.
Ensuring and providing good training specifically for women journalist too would go a long way to make them expert in the journalism field.
As every media organization needs to provide gender equality training for all staff to ensure equitable media environment.
This entry by Abdul Habiba won the Third Place in the 2024 Wakaso Award for Young Female Journalists in Niger state.
