GENDER REVIEW
OF MEDIA DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATIONS
SUPPORTED BY SIDA
September 2006
By
Colleen Lowe Morna, Agnes Odhiambo and Rochelle Renere Davidson
CONTENTS
Acknowledgement3
Acronyms4
Executive Summary5
Chapter one: Introduction
Chapter two: Key gender issues for media NGOs21
Chapter three: Gender policy framework28
Chapter four: Gender and planning
Chapter five: Programme analysis43
Chapter six: Outreach
Chapter seven:Gender and the workplace58
Chapter eight: Gender management systems62
Chapter nine: Conclusions and recommendations66
Chapter ten: Tools and resources70
TABLES
Table one: Summary of the gender audit of media projects supported by Sida9
Table two: summary table of media development organisations reviewed15
Table three: Focus, targets and beneficiaries 37
Table four: Gender composition of organisations59
BOXES
Box 1: Examples of ad hoc gender initiatives6
Box 2: Key media provisions of the BPFA20
Box3: Synergy and disjuncture in Networks28
Box4: Excerpts from the MISA gender policy
Box 5: Panos London writes gender into its mission 35
Box6: Gender-related quota system for MISA training courses39
Box 7:NSJ writes gender into its script41
Box 8: A win- win solution?44
Box 9: Building gender into freedom of expression indicators51
Box10: Subtle gender biases in the use of images53
Box11: Gender mainstreaming still patchy in publications56
Box12: Looking through a gender lens, what do I see? 64
ANNEXES
Annex A: Contact information of those interviewed90
Annex B: Brief organisational profiles91
Annex C: Gender audit checklist101
Annex D: Case studies106
Annex E: Article 19 Preliminary recommendations on gender and the media124
GLOSSARY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This report was commissioned by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) under the direction ofKristin Olson, Programme Officer, Division for Culture and Media. Colleen Lowe Morna, Executive Director of Gender Links (GL), together with Agnes Odhiambo and Rochelle Davidson of GL’s research and policy division undertook the study. We are deeply indebted to the organisations and individuals listed at Annex Afor responding to the questionnaire and/or providing interviews and information.
ACRONYMS
AMARC – World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters
BPFA –Beijing Platform for Action
DVB –Democratic Voice of Burma
ENA – EcoNews Africa
FOJO – The Institute for Further Education of Journalists
GMS –Gender Management System
GMMP – Global Media Monitoring Project
IFEX – International Freedom of Expression Exchange
GL-Gender Links
IMMF – Indochina Media Memorial Foundation
IMS – International Media Support
INSI – International News Safety Institute
IOC: Index on Censorship
MISA – Media Institute of Southern Africa
NGONon-governmental organisation
NSJ – Southern Africa Media Training Trust
PP – Panos Paris
PSA – Panos South Asia
PSAf- Panos Southern Africa
SAMSO – Southern Africa Media Services
SAEFSouthern Africa Editor’s Forum
SEAPA – The Southeast Asian Press Alliance
Sida-Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
TVE – Television Trust for the Environment
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This reviewconcerns the extent to which gender is integrated into the work of twenty freedom of expression and media development organisations supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The organisations and individuals who provided information for the review are listed at Annex A.
Seven of the organisations work globally and the rest in four regions of the world- east and southern Africa, Asia and the Middle East (see brief profiles of each organisation at Annex B.)
Gender Links (GL), a Southern African NGO based in Johannesburg that specialises in gender, governance and the media, conducted the review by phone and E Mail and where possible through face to face interviews using the questionnaire attached at Annex Cbetween January and July 2006. The study included in-depth case studies of three organisations that have developed or are in the process of developing gender policies. These are: the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) and Panos London (see Annex D).
Findings
The major findings of the audit are summarised in Table One. They include:
Gender is an important consideration for all the media organisations reviewed: Virtually all organisations reviewed cited gender as an important consideration in media for development and freedom of expression work. Many had studied the most recent Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) undertaken every five years since the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. The 2005 study showed that women constitute 21 percent of news sources (up from 17 percent in 1995) and that gender equality as a topic comprises 4% of all coverage.
The definition of freedom of expression is broadening: Among the more traditional freedom of expression organisations, there is a move towards broadening the definition of freedom of expression to include all forms of silencing, censorship and self- censorship. On International Women’s Day (8 March 2006) the head of Article 19 sparked an important debate in the mainstream media when, speaking at the launch of the third GMMP, she coined the phrase “gender-based censorship” and put forward a number of recommendations on gender and the media (see Annex E).
Gender policies are the exception:Despite the growing understanding that gender is intrinsic to their work, only two out of the 20 organisations in the survey(MISA and FOJO) have gender policies.Another three - Panos, the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) and Makerere are considering developing such policies. AMARC does not have a gender policy, but gender is well integrated into the procedures manual of the organisation that mandates gender considerations in training, promotion, projects etc.
Gender is not well integrated into existing policies, and is only reflected in the mission statement of one organisation (Panos London).
Donor pressure is a key factor, but the requirements are not clear: In so far as gender is being taken into account in programmes and planning, pressure from donors has played an important role, but this has been ambivalent. None of the organisations cited gender as a requirement for funding. Some cited gender as a criterion in proposals and reports, but others did not.It would appear that donors are walking a tight rope between being not wanting to be prescriptive yet wishing to ensure that gender is taken seriously in work they fund. Consistency is importantin the requirements they make and outputs that they seek if they are to strengthen gender mainstreaming efforts.
Gender is not consistently applied in planning:Most of the organisations reviewed are paying some attention to gender in their strategic planning but there is inconsistency and lack of specificity in the way this is being done. Gender features in broad statements of intent without clear targets and indicators.
Gender analysis is not regularly undertaken: While a few organisations (such as Panos London and AMARC) have recently undertaken gender audits of their own to identify gaps and assist in planning, such analyses (and the skills with which to undertake them) are relatively scarce in the sector.
There are several ad hoc initiatives on gender: The study yielded several examples of ad-hoc initiatives on gender (see box below).
Box one: Examples of ad hoc gender initiatives
- TVEhas produced three series of women specific programmes linked to Beijing Plus Five; Beijing Plus Ten and the Cairo ICPD conference.
- DVB: About 5 % of DVB’s weekly radio programmes are designed to promote gender awareness.
- AMARC has a specific programme to promote the participation of women in community radio
- FOJO arranges a number of courses, workshops and seminars dealing with gender issues. These include: “Women in Journalism”, “Women in Media Management”, “Gender Perspectives in the Media”, etc.
- NSJ runs a number of specific gender courses such as Gender & Journalism (Gender in media, covering gender violence, empowering women in community radio) have been held.However, the scholarship course plan for 2006 does not contain specific gender & media training courses.
- SAMSOhas developed a manual, “Picture our Lives: Gender and Images in Southern Africa” with Gender Links.
- IMMF has undertaken a study onwomen and child migrant labour issues.
- MAKEREREhas integrated gender into the environment training and encourages that students undertake their research on a gender related issue.
- Index on Censorship has just received funding for a major project to support women’s media around the Middle East; and is developing a women’s photographic training programme with BirZeitUniversity in Palestine.
But gender mainstreamingin projects is relatively weak: The media NGOs surveyed are more able to cite examples of gender specific work that they are doing than of mainstreaming gender considerations throughout their work. This included projects for and about women, as opposed to gender perspectives on topical development issues (such as the Millennium Development Goals). The review cited many examples of “missed” or potential opportunities for bringing gender perspectives to topics such as HIV and AIDS, globalisation and the environment.
Gender analysis of publications and productions is especially weak: The organisations reviewed produce many productions and publications, some with large audiences. However, none of the organisations had undertaken a gender content analysis of their products (similar to the GMMP) although many said they would welcome simple in-house monitoring tools for doing so.
Scope for strengthening gender considerations in the work place: Media NGOs, their staff and boards, have achieved greater gender balance and sensitivity in their institutional structures and practise than the media industry generally. However, there are still imbalances at the highest decision-making levels that need to be addressed through deliberate policies, as well as work place practices that need strengthening; especially the adoption of Codes of Conduct on sexual harassment.
Gender management systems need a boost:Only the organisations that have gender policies have dedicated gender officers and those that are considering adopting gender policies have formed working groups. In other instances, there are no specific gender structures or staffcapacity dedicated to the task of gender mainstreaming in the organisations surveyed. Gender is generally not “embedded” in key management tools such as job descriptions, performance agreements, monitoring and evaluation. The result is that for those responsible gender becomes a “labour of love” rather than part of institutional culture and norms and of work that is quantified and valued in the organisation.
Key conclusions and recommendations
Key conclusions and recommendations emanating from this study are that:
Media development organisations have the opportunity, through the kind of work they do and topics they cover, to lead by example in showing that gender is intrinsic to free speech, citizen participation, progressive media practice and content.
All media development organisations in the study should set a deadline for developing and adopting gender policies:As part of their support, Sidaand other donors should assist media partners in developing gender policies with targets of 40-60 percent participation by women or men in all areas: work force composition; as beneficiaries; and as contributors to/ content of campaigns/publications.
Media donors should apply gender criteria consistently and strategically as part of their funding strategy to support rather than impose gender mainstreaming within media NGOs.
Policies should be accompanied by a thorough process that ensures ownership and implementation:While having stand alone gender policies is not a panacea, the process of developing such a policy, cross referencing it with existing policies, getting the policy adopted by the Board, and developing an action plan, targets and indicators to go with it is a powerful tool for change.
Monitoring and evaluation are key: These involve keeping and applying gender disaggregated data. Often the measures required are simple, like building gender into online audience surveys and seeing if there are differences in the responses, of male and female beneficiaries.
Structure of the report
The report begins by setting out the key gender issues in this area of work, drawing from instruments such as the Beijing Platform for Action and research like the GMMP. It then analyses the extent to which gender is incorporated into the policies, planning, programme and project implementation of media and freedom of expression NGOs, as well as in their work place practices. The review also analyses what kind of structures and capacity exist within these organisations for doing so. The penultimate chapter summarises the main conclusions and recommendations, including the need for all media and freedom of expression NGOs to set a deadline for developing gender policies.
The name of each organisation is spelled out where it is first mentioned, and then referred to by its acronym. A list of acronyms is given at the beginning of the report. At the end of the report there is a glossary of terms and of useful websites.
Tools and resources
The report should be read in tandem with three tools for use by media and freedom of expression organisations in integrating gender into their work developed as part of this review and discussed during a day-long workshop at the second Gender and Media Summit convened by GL, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) and the Gender and Media Southern Africa (GEMSA) Network. These are:
- A gender score card for conducting an initial gender situation analysis within organisations based on the questionnaire used for this review and monitoring progress thereafter;
- A quantitative and qualitative monitoring tool for conducting content analysis from a gender perspective and
- A template for developing a gender policy.
1
TABLE ONE: SUMMARY OF THE GENDER REVIEW OF MEDIA PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY SIDA
PARTNER / GENDER SEEN AS A REQMT FOR SIDA FUNDING / STAND ALONE GENDER POLICY / GENDER IS INTEGRATED INTO EXISTING POLICIES / GENDER SPECIFIC PROJECTS / GENDER INTEGRATED INTO ALL PROJECTS / GENDER COMPOSITION OF ORG: % women / GENDER STRUCTURE / GENDER TRAINING*Overall / Board / Director
INTERNATIONAL
IFEX / NO / No, but gender working group to consider developing one / NO / NO / NO, but there are plans to do this in the future / 47% / 36.36% / F / Gender working group for the network and an individual at IFEX / YES, gender working group to strengthen this
PANOS LONDON / YES / In the process of being formulated. / YES, Although the policy statement is still being formulated there is a clear understanding of the cross-cutting nature of gender / YES, within the programmes there are gender specific activities. / YES, The intention is that gender will be mainstreamed in all activities, following the work of the task team. / 66.67% / 45.45% / M / A Gender working group but no gender portfolio for a specific person / NONE
INDEX ON CENSORSHIP / Yes, it has been mentioned by SIDA. / NO / NO / No, except trying to ensure that women are included in training. / NO, but there appears to be gender consciousness in some projects. / 42% / 40% / F / NONE / NONE
ARTICLE 19 / It has arisen in SIDA applications and Eastern Europe desk also mentioned gender being raised by the EU. / NO / NO, but in each division’s strategic plan gender mainstreaming is mentioned as a priority / Access to information on sexual and reproductive health in Latin America and Eastern Europe. / NO, but there are preliminary recommendations to do so. / 55.5 % / 38.5% / F / Gender working group in the process of being formed / NONE
TVE / Mostly now because of this audit, but not in other areas. / NO / NO / Programmes, mini-films, and series (by female broadcasters) about women’s issues: reproductive rights and poverty / NO gender guidelines for doing this. / 38 % / 21.4% / F / NONE / NONE
INSI / NO, but included in Global Safety Project proposal to SIDA / NO / NO / Women reporting war survey / YES (Adequate participation of women always highlighted in documents to donors and local partners) / 17% / 12% / M / NONE / NONE
IMS / NO / NO / NO / NO / NO / 57% / 27% / M / NONE / NONE
SOUTHERN AFRICA
PANOS SOUTHERN AFRICA / Not really because we already include the gender aspect / NO / N/A / Yes. Radio listening clubs / NO / 42.9% / 50% / M / NO / YES
MISA / NO / YES / YES, constitution, sexual harassment policy / Gender and media support / YES / YES, gender focal person / YES
SAMSO / NO / NO / NO / The Images Training Manual developed by Gender Links, Mainstreaming Gender in Entry Level Journalism by PON / NO / 30% / 0% / M / NO / YES
AMARC / YES, but gender part of policy / NO / YES, strongly so / Regional gender programmes that promote gender equality in community radio through diverse initiatives, e.g. listeners clubs / YES / 57% / 50% / F / YES, the regional gender programme and management / YES, but on an adhoc basis and not scheduled
NSJ / NO, but issue taken seriously by board / NO, but have a selection policy favouring female participants on specific scholarship courses / NO / Gender & Journalism (Gender in media, covering gender violence, empowering women in community radio) / Gender in Media Training Manual, (Gender Links and IAJ, 2002) used as a guide and tool for mainstreaming gender in courses / 50% / 33% / M / NONE / NONE
EAST AFRICA
MAKEREREUNIVERSITY / NO, but included in proposal / NO, in the process of developing one / NOT SURE / Modules and a postgraduate diploma in which gender is the core course / YES / 22% / 25% / M / YES, gender mainstreaming department / YES, on gender awareness
EACMP (ECONEWS) / NO / NO / NO / No, but we had a couple of training workshops for women working in community media once. / Sometimes by default especially if the programme has a gender angle. / 37% / 25% / M / NO, but each staff must take gender into account in their work / NO, but staff have gone for training offered by other organisations.
PANOS PARIS / NOT a condition but one of the criterion for judging proposals / NO / NO / Support for an awareness campaign in the East of the DRC on gender justice and security for women in the rural areas / YES, training activities take gender into account; equal participation of women and men in training / 70% / 50% / F / NO, done naturally by ED / NONE
ASIA
IMMF / NO / NO / NO / Women and child issues; migrant labour / YES, gender covered in all curriculum / 47% / 33% / F / NO / NO
PANOS SOUTHERN ASIA / NO, but included gender in project proposal / NO / NO / Fellowship programme covering the health and human rights of Dalit women in India; Rajasthan radio project focusing on the girl child / Ensure fair participation of women in training programmes; women’s voices and perspectives integral to research and media outputs / 48% / 55% / M / NONE / YES, programme staff
SEAPA / NO / NO / NO / NO, but some member organizations do / NO, but proactively involve/recruit women to participate in al programmes / 60% / 50% / M / NONE / One-day gender workshop in 2004; follow-up Alerts workshop planned for 2006
DVB / NO / NO, but guidelines on gender reflected in staff manual / selection of candidates for capacity building, new recruitment and promotion / One weekly programme designed to raise gender awareness among target audience; Gender workshop organized for DVB staff/journalists / NO / 43% / 25% / M / NONE / YES, training was provided by a donor
MIDDLE EAST
FOJO / Issue has been raised and is integrated in activities / YES / NO RESPONSE / Women in Journalism; Women in Media Management; Gender Perspectives in the Media / YES, Project proposal, gender related objectives, strategies and activities / 70% / 53% / F / YES / NO
* Refers to the last three years.