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Document:
Yemen: An Analysis
of Women in the Media
Gender-balanced media coverage in Yemen
Authors: A. Callamard (ed); S. Richani;
J. O’Connor (ed)
Publisher: Article 19, 2009
This paper reports on a research exercise involving monitoring the Yemeni
media over a six-week period. It emphasises that the promotion of
gender-balanced media coverage is a vital step toward strengthening women’s
rights.
The author demonstrates that there are two areas of key concern when exploring
issues of gender in the media. The first is the ways in which women are
represented in the print and broadcast media, and the second is their
representation in the media workforce. In this sense, relevant gender-balanced
media coverage can play a central role in reducing irrational prejudices
against women and empowering women.
The paper introduces the following recommendations to the government of Yemen:
- repeal all legislation that violates Article 19 of the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
- implement the recommendations of the Convention on the
Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), in
particular those related to discriminatory legislation
- do not overlook slur campaigns against journalists, in
particular through gender-based attacks that insult the dignity of women
journalists or activists, undermine their credibility and put them at risk
of revenge by the community
- ensure that all media laws guarantee equality of access
to the media for women and men, and guarantee equal opportunities for
female and male media professionals working in the media
- encourage and support women to establish their own
media outlets
- increase the channels of communication between the
government and women’s organisations.
Furthermore, the document recommends:
- civil society to support the development of
publications on women’s and gender issues, and encourage the development
of women-specific programming in the mainstream media
- media editors to ensure equal working terms and
conditions for men and women, including salaries.
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