Inspired by Italy’s Experience in Higher Education: Teaching Gender-Inclusive Journalism in Albania

In the historic setting of the University of Padua, one of Europe’s oldest academic institutions, Albanian journalism and communication lecturers engaged in a dynamic exchange with their Italian counterparts to explore gender-sensitive media education.

The visit aimed to showcase the University of Padua’s approach to developing a university module on Gender Equality in the Media. UN Women is supporting a similar module in Albania, to equip journalism students and faculty with the knowledge and tools to produce gender-sensitive content and foster more inclusive media practices.

The visit was hosted by Professor Claudia Padovani, renowned for her work on gender, communication and political science. It provided a unique opportunity to explore how gender and media are addressed within one of Italy’s most progressive academic environments. Drawing on her extensive research on gender stereotypes, sexism in the media, and inclusive language, Professor Padovani facilitated vibrant discussions between Albanian lecturers and their Italian colleagues, fostering a rich exchange on innovative teaching approaches.

Beyond knowledge-sharing, the experience sparked inspiration.

“The approach used by the University of Padua appears exceptionally advanced,” said Irena Myzeqari, a lecturer at the European University of Tirana and one of the participants in the visit. “Gender equality should not be treated as an isolated subject but integrated into every discussion about the media’s role in society. When media, language, law, and imagery are interwoven, it helps students gain a much deeper understanding of the systems that either reproduce or challenge gender inequality. I believe this method can, and should, be adopted in our universities.”

That view was echoed by Raimonda Nelku, senior lecturer in TV journalism at Tirana University:

“These issues touch on three powerful forces that shape how gender roles are perceived: discourse, visual representation, and legal structures. This integrated approach helps students see how power operates, not always overtly, but subtly and persistently, through everyday media, language, and the law. These mechanisms often go unquestioned, yet they strongly influence how we view women, men, and their roles in society.”

The exchange was made possible through the UK-funded project “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress towards Gender Equality”, implemented by UN Women. One of the project’s key objectives is to strengthen the capacity of media institutions and professionals to tackle sexism and gender stereotyping—an area where journalism education plays a crucial role.

During the implementation of the project in 2025, over 20 journalism students have chosen to develop thesis projects and news articles influenced by this exchange. Among them is 33-year-old Sanida Kraja, a final-year master’s student in Communication and Marketing at the European University of Tirana.

“Even before our lecturers introduced us to the module, I had already chosen my thesis topic,” she explained. “As a woman in business myself, I felt strongly about giving my research a gender perspective. Unfortunately, being a woman in entrepreneurship can still feel like entering a space designed for men. But through further analysis, I’ve come to understand and show that the landscape is changing; more women are stepping into entrepreneurship, and gender biases are slowly being challenged.”

Franceska Heti, a 22-year-old MSc student in Communication at the same university, focused on how media can either reinforce or challenge gender stereotypes.

“Thanks to this module, I’ve now clearly understood the approaches and attitudes that shape public perception,” she said. Becoming aware of these deeply rooted gender stereotypes is the first step toward social awareness and real change. We must be the ones to raise our voices against injustice and inequality, because otherwise, no one else will.”

The visit to Padua, marked more than just an academic collaboration. It was the first step toward building more inclusive, socially aware journalism education in Albania. As the module continues to take shape, the hope is that it will become a permanent part of journalism and communication studies and that it will help future reporters to not just report the news but to reshape the narrative.