Media Professionals Urged to Weave Gender Awareness into Their Reporting

A one-day capacity-building programme ‘Integrating gender perspectives: guidelines for effective policy implementation’ for media professionals for effective reporting by media, was organised by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare in collaboration with the Media Trust, yesterday, in Port Louis. The course was conducted by a gender expert from the European Union, Ms Winfred Lichuma.

The initiative aimed to equip media professionals with the knowledge, tools and skills required to better understand gender-related issues and integrate them into their professional practices. It also provided an opportunity to reflect on the use of gender-sensitive language, the identification of unconscious biases, the elimination of stereotypes and the balanced representation of women and men.

At the opening ceremony of the training, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mr Jean Daniel Philippe Labonne, stressed that promoting gender equality required more than the adoption of public policies and legislative measures. He stated that it also called for a shift in mindsets, behaviours and communication practices, as well as in society's perceptions of the roles, responsibilities and contributions of individuals.

The importance of incorporating gender-sensitive communication into media practices was highlighted by Mr Labonne as he underlined that that the media were not merely channels for disseminating information but played a significant role in shaping public opinion, influencing attitudes and establishing the values that underpin society. He pointed out that the media had the capacity to challenge stereotypes, promote equality and foster a better understanding of social realities. However, he cautioned that certain journalistic practices could, sometimes unintentionally, perpetuate prejudices and reinforce discrimination.

The Permanent Secretary explained that gender-sensitive journalism did not mean compromising the fundamental principles of the profession. Rather, it was about enhancing the quality of reporting through the balanced representation of diverse experiences, the use of language that respected human dignity and the avoidance of portrayals that could perpetuate discrimination.

According to Mr Labonne, this responsibility was particularly important when reporting on sensitive issues such as domestic violence, sexual assault, exploitation and other forms of gender-based violence. He underscored that the coverage of such cases should avoid sensationalism, stigmatisation and victim-blaming.

“Victims and survivors must be treated with dignity and respect; their privacy, identity and safety must be protected,” he recalled. Responsible journalism, he added, could help break the silence surrounding such forms of violence, raise public awareness and encourage those affected to seek the necessary assistance and protection.

Furthermore, the Permanent Secretary was adamant that the training was not intended to dictate what journalists should publish or undermine their editorial independence. “Instead,” he affirmed, “the purpose is to strengthen the capacities of media professionals, deepen their understanding of gender-related issues and encourage journalist practices that are increasingly accurate, fair, impartial, responsible and inclusive.”