By Eric Ndung’u
The role of women in society has for a long time gone unappreciated. But their contribution, especially since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent conventions recognising the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family, has been significant.
This has seen women take up various roles in fighting for their rights and uplifting the socio-political and cultural statuses of their communities. They have persevered and risen to the occasion to become freedom fighters, human rights activists, presidents and to hold other respectable positions in their societies.
One of the key players in the fight for women’s recognition has been the media, offering opportunities for girls and women to pursue journalism as a profession and platforms to advance women’s rights. The media has continually gained traction by being a key catalyst in advancing women’s rights especially in political participation.
But the ratio of women to men in the media industry is skewed in favour of the former, and more action is needed to ensure both genders have equal access. In supporting the advancement of women, the media is obliged to abide by the Constitution of Kenya and regional and international conventions that promote the rights of women. However, this is not the case as some media stations still lag behind in mainstreaming gender parity.
From an analyst’s report conducted for 10 days on KTN News between January 4 and 23, 2022, the station engaged 28 male experts compared to only two females in their morning and evening shows on news and current affairs.
Media monitoring reports at the MCK point to a gloomy reality if the composition of show hosts and presenters is considered in our radio stations and the opinion pages of national newspapers. There is utter male domination across board, which, in effect, determines the kind of messaging obscuring the other voice.
Such statistics should be a wakeup call for news stations to deliberately advance the role of women as equal actors. The Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism as entrenched in the Second Schedule of the Media Council Act 2013 requires journalists to adhere to Clause 15 on gender non-discrimination, where women and men shall be treated equally as news subjects and news sources.
These legal instruments, in addition to the MCK Guidelines for Election Coverage, oblige the stations to be aware that the Constitution provides for freedom and independence of all types of media; and guarantees all citizens the right to freedom of expression, which includes freedom to seek, receive or impart information or ideas.
With no shortage of female experts and professionals, broadcasters should review their programming to accommodate both genders as the law requires. This will not only help female aspirants in the upcoming general elections, but also build the positive role of the media in advancing the rights of women.
