Reporting Through a Gender Lens - Journalists as Key Allies

15 November 2024 - The media is one of UN Women’s key allies in reshaping the narrative around gender equality in the Albanian society. A testament to this partnership was the broad participation of journalists in UN Women’s annual Media Forum. Supported by the Governments of Sweden and the UK, this dynamic two-day workshop served as a platform for learning and dialogue. Through knowledge sharing, interactive sessions, and collaboration with gender and human rights experts, the forum sought to inspire innovative approaches to reporting, challenge harmful stereotypes, and equip media professionals with the tools to address sensitive issues with accuracy and inclusivity.

Alma Demiraj, an experienced journalist who reports on social issues for Top Channel, one of the main media outlets in Albania, praised the forum for encouraging fresh perspectives.

"We cover events daily; however, this forum has brought to light themes that need to be revisited with a different approach, starting with the language we use in reporting. Even with years of experience in this profession, we often find ourselves in editorial discussions about phrasing to ensure we avoid unintended discrimination."

During the forum the participants explored innovative approaches to news reporting, such as solutions journalism, emphasizing constructive and evidence-based storytelling to inspire meaningful societal change. A unique feature of this forum was the 'My proud moment' segment, where journalists shared impactful gender equality related stories which they had reported on in the past year. The exercise not only encouraged a rethinking of journalistic practice but also provided an opportunity for reflection.

The forum also served as a source of inspiration, sparking new ideas on how to address diverse issues - including mental health, reproductive health, unpaid labor, and gender budgeting -through a gender lens.

"Having attended such forums with journalists from the start, I have noticed significant improvements in the discussions, which makes me very optimistic,” says gender equality expert Monika Kocaqi. “The goal is not to change people’s perspectives with a single two-day forum or even with all the forums organized throughout the year. The aim is to pose ourselves the question: Is this change of perspective necessary? If we agree that it is, then internalizing the gender lens becomes a natural process," she added.

Additionally, participants were introduced to key insights and recent developments, including the revision of Albania’s 2008 Gender Equality Law, which is an ongoing effort to finalize concrete actions in light of the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the GREVIO Thematic Report. The latter report, by the Group of Experts monitoring the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention), highlights Albania's progress and challenges in addressing violence against women and ensuring alignment with the Istanbul Convention.

The forum also welcomed journalists who have already adopted a gender-sensitive perspective in their work, such as Esiona Konomi, who describes herself as “recruited” to the cause.

"I can say I have now been 'recruited' to the cause because I truly feel that I have started to apply gender awareness in my work. Previously, when preparing a report, I would just focus on whether the person I wanted to interview was competent and willing to participate. Now, I actively seek to amplify the voices of women experts in the field. Despite the challenges I may face, I have now learned that you can make a panel more gender-balanced with persistence and patience."

For nearly a decade, UN Women has been collaborating with journalists through the Media Forum, which it established for the purpose of driving meaningful conversations on gender equality. Each year, a diverse group of media professionals brings fresh perspectives to the conversation, addressing not only gender equality issues, but also intersecting societal issues seen, among others, through the lenses of economic, political, sports, and investigative journalism. Reflecting on this, Alba Agolli, UN Women Project Manager for “Ending Violence against Women” Programme emphasized:

"The Media Forum is more than a platform for discussion; it offers journalists comprehensive materials, reports, and practical tools to enhance their reporting on gender equality. It also provides a valuable opportunity for media professionals, gender experts, and civil society organizations to exchange their diverse perspectives and foster collaborative dialogue."

As Albania continues to confront deep-rooted gender inequalities, the Media Forum exemplifies ways in which journalists can play a critical role as agents of change. By fostering informed reporting, challenging societal norms, and understanding new legal frameworks, the media becomes a cornerstone in the fight for gender equality.