Accra: The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in collaboration with Canal France International (CFI) has launched a Strategy Document aimed at advancing gender equality in the media sector in Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, the document is a key component of MFWA and CFI’s ‘Equal Voices- Promoting Gender Equality in the Media’ project, which seeks to tackle gender inequalities and stereotypes while enhancing women’s representation at all levels of responsibility within the Ghanaian and Ivorian media landscapes.
The strategy document lays out practical recommendations to elevate the number of women in leadership roles within the media. It aims to achieve gender parity in media content, foster gender-sensitive workplaces and policies, and strengthen capacities for gender advocacy.
The development of this document was based on thorough baseline research and four strategic dialogues with vital stakeholders in the Ghanaian media. These dialogues were conducted to identify existing barriers to gender equality in the media sector.
The baseline studies highlighted several critical issues, such as leadership gaps, content biases, workplace challenges, uncoordinated advocacy efforts, and bystander effects.
Dr. Audrey Gadzekpo, from the Department of Communications at the University of Ghana, who co-launched the document, described it as an ambitious undertaking. She commended MFWA for their courage in setting forth bold guidelines to drive transformative change in the media.
She emphasized the document’s timely release during a crucial period of global reflection on gender equality, noting numerous landmark declarations on gender equality alongside emerging challenges.
Referring to an international report suggesting it would take approximately 67 years to close the gender gap in traditional media, Dr. Gadzekpo stressed the need for a concerted effort to implement the strategy document effectively.
Madam Marine Hayem, cooperation attach© at the French embassy, remarked that the strategy document signifies a significant milestone in the media landscape, representing a unified effort towards implementing Ghana’s affirmative action.
Dr. Charity Binka, Executive Director of Women, Media and Change (WOMEC) and moderator of the strategic dialogues, stated that the document is firmly rooted in local media realities and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She encouraged media organizations to adopt the strategy document and establish progressive systems for women’s leadership by 2030, in accordance with the Affirmative Action and Gender Equity law.
The document draws on global best practices, providing a clear and collective framework to transition from commitment to actionable steps.