Empowering Change: Using Mentorship to Address Gender Imbalance in Media

A Weekend of Reflection and Hope

This weekend was a deep dive into the inspiring and diverse applications for the fraymedia Foundation's Women Media Mentors Programme. The response has been incredible, with nearly 100 applicants from 16 different African countries, all eager to either mentor or be mentored.

This overwhelming response not only showcases the generosity of potential mentors, but also highlights the determination of African women to advance their media careers.

The need for this programme could not be more critical. The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism has highlighted a concerning trend: only 22% of top editors across 240 brands in 12 markets they reviewed are women. This, despite women comprising an average of 40% of journalists in these markets. What is more alarming, is that these figures are declining, not improving. For example, in South Africa, the percentage of women in top editorial roles plummeted from 60% in 2021 to just 20% in 2023, and Kenya saw a drop from 27% to 13% over the same period.

Missing Perspectives

Equally concerning is the underrepresentation of women’s voices in media coverage. Luba Kassova’s 2020 report, “The Missing Perspectives of Women in COVID-19 News,” poignantly illustrates this gap. The Global Media Monitoring Project's 'Who Makes the News' reports echo this sentiment, consistently demonstrating women's underrepresentation in media narratives.

The scarcity of data on media ownership in Africa further complicates the picture. Among sub-Saharan countries, only Ghana and Tanzania are included in the media ownership monitor. And their results reflect few women owners. Anecdotal evidence suggests that women's ownership levels across the continent remain disappointingly low.

Recognising the dire situation in media representation and ownership is a critical first step, but it is not enough. We must move beyond mere acknowledgment to identify the key problems that perpetuate this imbalance. These include structural inequalities in media industries, lack of access to leadership roles for women, and societal biases that silence women's voices.

Decisive Action for Change

Once these core issues are understood, then we must take decisive action. This involves creating pathways for women to ascend to leadership roles, ensuring equitable representation in media narratives, and actively challenging the stereotypes and barriers that hinder progress. Only through a combination of awareness, targeted intervention, and sustained effort can we hope to bring about the transformative change that is so urgently needed.

The fraymedia Foundation Women Media Mentors Programme is more than just a response to these alarming trends. It’s a step towards a future where African women are not only heard but are shaping the narrative. This programme aims to accelerate change in African media by empowering women, helping them to drive their careers forward.

As we embark on this journey, we are heartened by the commitment and enthusiasm of our applicants. Their diverse backgrounds and experiences will enrich this programme and, ultimately, the media landscape in Africa.

You are welcome to join us. Do you have an idea to advance women in media? We would be happy to see if we can partner with you to make it a reality.

Together, we can challenge the status quo and forge a more inclusive and equitable media industry. Let's continue to support and uplift each other in this crucial mission.

The deadline for applications to join the mentoring programme is Thursday November 30, 2023.

Women leaders willing to participate as mentors can sign up here: https://forms.gle/Bdz9ZwMXPqRuAxyK6?

Young women leaders wanting to participate in the mentorship programme as mentees can sign up here: https://forms.gle/p5cna2gv4oXt12Ui9