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A
recent analysis of how women are portrayed in East Timor's media
shows that women's views and voices are seriously underrepresented.
In addition, stories about women often focus only on traditional
roles or entertainment or on women as victims of violence.
These are the findings of a two-week study of gender balance
in East Timor's media by Internews' Media Monitoring Unit (MMU).
MMU researchers studied stories printed in two newspapers and
broadcast on two Dili-based radio stations. They presented their
findings at a two-day workshop organized by the Prime Minister's
Office for Promotion of Equality (OPE).
The OPE requested the analysis after the publication of a report
by the International Rescue Committee on gender-based violence
[see New
Report Shines a Light on Gender-Based Violence and Local Justice]
showed that nearly a quarter of East Timor's women experience
some form of violence in their relationships with men.
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Participants explore
gender balance issues through role play at a recent workshop
on gender sensitivity in East Timor's media.
Photo courtesy of Internews
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MMU monitors Alberico
Junio, Hopolito Da Costa Gama, and Francisco Da Silva presented
their findings at a two-day OPE workshop that focused on gender
balance. The media outlets that the MMU monitored also received
the report.
During its monitoring, the MMU found that few stories broadcast
on the radio or printed in Dili's two daily newspapers are by
women, about women, offer women's viewpoints, or promote positive
images of women. The MMU report recommends that all media outlets
ensure more proportionate coverage of women and women's issues,
including:
• searching for more stories about women, emphasizing their
diverse roles in society, not just stereotypical roles
• interviewing more women and promoting a more positive
image of women
• seeking the opinions of a wider range of women, including
ordinary women and those in positions of authority.
USAID works in partnership with Internews to strengthen East
Timor's democracy through a vigorous and independent media. It
supports the MMU and other Internews activities aimed at improving
the quality of information disseminated by East Timor's media.
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