Getting the balance right: gender equality in journalism; 2009 - Fokus

High stress levels, bullying andharassment, unacceptable workloads,and anti-social working hours pressureworking mothers into part-time, temporaryor freelance positions. This in turn putsthem in even more vulnerable positionsin terms of job security, promotions, legalstatus and ability to share the same rightsas contracted colleagues.The EAJA reports that in Eastern Africa, some media houses“violate rights of women journalists such as presenting them assexual objects; sexual harassment, intimidation, abuse, undervaluingor ignoring their work, successes, efforts, rights and by symbolicallydestroying or frustrating them”.Sexual harassment remains an unspoken problem. Unnecessarytouching, sending of unwanted emails, text messages, display ofpornographic pictures in the workplaces, sexual comments etc, aregenerally considered as forms of sexual harassment, the impact ofwhich can have a debilitating effect on the personality, working lifeand social behaviour of the person harassed.In some countries, these problems are often compoundedby poorer access to training and education, systemic or hiddendiscriminatory practices (such as curfews and lack of child care),harassment and overt sexism in hiring practices.Significant progress has been made in recent years in womenbreaking into the war correspondents club, previously the preserve ofmen. While this is welcome employers must consider the extra risksfaced by women in conflict zones. Not only are they subject to thesame dangers as their male colleagues, but they also face additionalthreats of sexual violence, intimidation and gender discriminationeven when it comes to risks protection with women forced to use illfitting safety equipment designed for male shapes and sizes only.According to the International News Safety Institute (INSI) surveyon Women reporting war in 2005, over 82% of the women surveyedreported physical attack or intimidation whilst covering conflict.Outside court, three journalists and thepublisher of India’s Midday speak out againsttheir conviction for “contempt of court”.© Midday Publications, Delhi6 GENDER EQUALITY IN JOURNALISM