The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign observed annually from 25 November to 10 December. It begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and concludes on Human Rights Day. The campaign aims to raise awareness and end all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls. During this period, journalists are urged to promote gender-sensitive newsrooms.
This call to action includes building newsrooms where there would be gender equality, no discrimination, and patriarchal attitudes; a place to challenge stereotyping; following ethical guidelines, particularly when reporting on GBV, to ensure the dignity and experiences of survivors are respected, and underlying issues are emphasised.
According to UNWomen.org, 1 in 3 women experience Gender-Based Violence in their lifetime; 16-58% of women and girls face digital violence; 90-95% deepfake videos are sexual images of women. Online and digital spaces should empower women and girls. However, UNWomen.org reports that every day, millions of women and girls are harassed, abused, and controlled within the digital world.
The media often reports Gender-Based Violence as isolated incidents rather than on the universal and historical factors that contribute to GBV. According to North-West University Master’s graduate, Elsje-Marie Jordaan, “the result is coverage that not only obscures the colonial history of violence against women but also reinforces patriarchal power structures, marginalising especially African women”.
She believes survivors’ stories need to be told with dignity.
With the support of organisations that advocate change and the end to violence against women and girls, a move for stronger laws and better enforcement is overdue. We can also teach children gender equality and digital safety, as well as use social media to spread the message.
Speaking at a fraycollege of Communications webinar, South African Medical Research Council Scientist for Research Strategy and Intramural Unit’s, Professor Rachel Jewkes, said, “Journalists must be agents of change in reporting GBV”.
“Journalism has an incredibly valuable role to play in keeping GBV in the public eye, in ensuring that communities and families blame the perpetrator and not the victim. Building an understanding of the root causes. Helping campaigns for action to address the root causes. And helping women experiencing GBV in their families understand more about what can be done and how to work together to live lives free from violence,” she added.
In support of the 16-day activism campaign, fraycollege of Communications will offer free training opportunities to civil society organisations working on GBV issues and for newsrooms to enhance gender sensitivity. Contact them at info@fraycollege.com for further details.
