Analysts Say Ethiopia's Media Need to Empower Female Journalists
In her 15 years of
working in Ethiopian media, Melkamsew Solomon says she still doesn’t see enough
women in senior roles.
Often, she says, women
are assigned to soft news stories, then overlooked for more prominent
positions.
Melkamsew has managed to
buck that trend and is pushing back boundaries with her radio program
Yimechish, which focuses on gender-based subjects.
Despite efforts to
promote equality and push for women's empowerment in journalism, the media
sector remains male dominated. It is an imbalance advocates say deprives
audiences of more diverse and inclusive coverage of issues affecting women.
A January report by the
Ethiopian nonprofit the Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy found
that of the 80 journalists in leadership positions, only four are women. The
report also found that only 526 of the 2,400 TV and radio journalists are
women.
The study’s author,
Mulatu Alemayehu Moges, told VOA that the number of women in both traditional
and digital media is low.
"The data we’ve
collected demonstrates that in the Ethiopian electronic media, women
journalists, editors, media leaders and related professionals collectively hold
only 25% [of decision-making roles]," said Mulatu, who is a lecturer at
Addis Ababa University’s School of Journalism and Communication.
Mulatu suggests that
women's underrepresentation in media is a result of several factors, including
social and cultural barriers, discriminatory hiring practices and a lack of
opportunities for career advancement.
'Some think it is
unthinkable'
Melkamsew said many
believe the Ethiopian media environment is not suitable for women.
"Media is a very
serious thing. Hence, some think it is unthinkable to give such a big
responsibility for women," said Melkamsew.
She said that while
Ethiopia has larger media companies in the country, there are few women
leaders.
"It is the same with
assignments," she said. "Women are often assigned to do soft news.
And later, they are considered as not good enough for leadership."
Additionally, she said, "By unwritten law, [women
journalists] are forbidden from coming forward.”
Journalists who are married or pregnant are often told not to go
out on assignment to protect themselves. But, she said, they are then
"blocked from getting leadership positions."
She said those returning from maternity leave can find
themselves pushed out of positions — something that she and other female
journalists she knows have experienced.
Women face
obstacles
Yeshewa Masresha, who has worked in media for 17 years, shares
concerns about how to bring more women into senior roles.
Yeshewa has worked for the state-run Fana Broadcasting Corporate
for more than a decade. She is also on the board of the Ethiopian Media Women
Association.
"They don’t have any problem joining media
organizations," she said. "However, once hired when they try to step
up as a leader, there are a lot of obstacles."
Both journalists said that female reporters are often excluded
from coverage of politics or hard news.
Melkamsew, who also has a radio show at Sheger FM and is a volunteer
for the Ethiopian Media Women Association, believes newsrooms should introduce
regulations and policies that include women. She says organizations such as the
Ethiopian Media Women Association have a role to play.
"We have a plan to help achieve all media houses design and
implement gender policy," Melkamsew said.
Call for
professional development
The Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy has suggested
that the government and media create mechanisms to increase the number of women
working in media and do more to help women further their professionalism and
editorial decision-making skills so they can take leadership roles.
Yeshewa, however, believes that if media houses want to empower
women, they should focus less on quotas and more on professional development.
"When it comes to using and
working on digital media, women have shortcomings in technology,” Yeshewa said.
"I also don’t think we need a quota. But once we join the media,
leadership opportunities need to be presented equally."
Media professor Mulatu said carving out space for women in
leadership would bridge the equality gap in the industry.
"We must stop talking about inclusion for the sake of it,
rather we must implement affirmative action," said Mulatu. "We need
to support them to be on the front line."
VOA
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