Aya Institute has voiced concerns about the lack of gender-sensitive panels and programming in Ghana’s media landscape.
The institute released a statement highlighting that Africa’s media is dominated by male speakers, which tends to eclipse the expertise and voices of women.
The institute is advocating for gender-sensitive news production and programming in Ghana and across Africa, emphasizing the need for the media to showcase women’s talents and gender-sensitive panels.
“While appreciating the significant progress we have made over the years with the media, one critical area that is found wanting is intentionally working towards a gender-responsive and sensitive media landscape.
“We need to put to use for the greater good women’s talents, expertise and achievements and the media must be seen as championing gender-sensitive panels and programming across networks.”
Aya Institute maintains that the expertise of women should be sought in shaping society, as their social and economic activities are transforming global economies.
“Currently, Africa’s media operates an overwhelming dominance of male speakers, drowning and overshadowing the expertise and voices of women. The Global Media Monitoring Project 2022 reported that 25% of news sources and 24% of expert voices are women across print, TV, radio, internet news and Twitter, which is woeful underrepresentation of women in news.
“In a world where women’s social and economic activities are turning global economies around, it is imperative that we actively seek their expertise in shaping our society. The optics are not good especially when globally, women are getting educated at higher and specialist levels, there can’t be a dearth of women experts for the increasing numbers of media establishments in Africa.”
Aya Institute has extended its congratulations to Ghana for moving up from the 62nd to the 50th position in the latest Global Press Freedom Ranking issued by ‘Reporters Without Borders’.
The institute also lauded Ghana for hosting the 3rd edition of the African Media Convention from May 15 to 17 in Accra.
Click to read the statement by Aya Institute
—-
Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!
Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x
No spams, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital
