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Women in the Media

The media are potentially powerful channels of information in a society. The messages they transmit can change or reinforce social mores and behaviours, and mobilize citizens to take progressive actions. While, ideally, the media should strive for accuracy and impartiality, in reality there are often imbalances in coverage, including in terms of women and their perspectives. Women politicians, for example, may be under-represented in news before and after elections. 

Why don’t we see women as “electable”?

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August 31, 2022

Why don’t we see women as “electable”?

Journalist Ali Vitali covered female presidential candidates in 2020. Now she reflects on what got in their way.

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Journalist Ali Vitali covered female presidential candidates in 2020. Now she reflects on what got in their way.

Why are the personal lives of women in politics subject to such intense scrutiny?

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August 30, 2022

Why are the personal lives of women in politics subject to such intense scrutiny?

  • Fun or Power, why do we have to choose?
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  • Fun or Power, why do we have to choose?

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Chrystia Freeland latest target of public threats, intimidation against women in Canadian politics

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Chrystia Freeland latest target of public threats, intimidation against women in Canadian politics

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Some journalists have been sharing emails detailing disturbing threats.

Public instances of threats and intimidation of women in public life have intensified in recent weeks, with significant examples of abuse targeted toward politicians — most recently, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland — as well as activists and journalists.

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Some journalists have been sharing emails detailing disturbing threats.

Public instances of threats and intimidation of women in public life have intensified in recent weeks, with significant examples of abuse targeted toward politicians — most recently, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland — as well as activists and journalists.

World News

Nigeria: Political parties unfair without female running mates – Stakeholders

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Nigeria: Political parties unfair without female running mates – Stakeholders

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Stakeholders in the electoral process in Nigeria, including the United States-based National Democratic Institute have expressed concern over the exclusion of women as running mates in the presidential primaries for the 2023 elections.

They, therefore, emphasised the need for the media to beam attention on the marginalisation of women in the last presidential primaries by political parties.

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Stakeholders in the electoral process in Nigeria, including the United States-based National Democratic Institute have expressed concern over the exclusion of women as running mates in the presidential primaries for the 2023 elections.

They, therefore, emphasised the need for the media to beam attention on the marginalisation of women in the last presidential primaries by political parties.

World News

Ugandan women legislators trained in effective communication and parliamentary oversight

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Ugandan women legislators trained in effective communication and parliamentary oversight

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Honorable Rose Obigah is a politician from Uganda and a newcomer to the legislature. During the just completed 2021 Uganda general elections, she was chosen to serve as a woman member representing Terego district.

Rose had worked as a social worker and government official, and her desire to join the Ugandan parliament was pushed by the struggles that the women in her region experienced and how they overcame them.

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Honorable Rose Obigah is a politician from Uganda and a newcomer to the legislature. During the just completed 2021 Uganda general elections, she was chosen to serve as a woman member representing Terego district.

Rose had worked as a social worker and government official, and her desire to join the Ugandan parliament was pushed by the struggles that the women in her region experienced and how they overcame them.

I’m not sexist, other voters are

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July 6, 2022

I’m not sexist, other voters are

During the 2020 caucus cycle, I heard it a lot, the refrain of the cautious Democratic voter. I want to vote for her, but I don’t think she can win. It wasn’t, people reasoned, because they were sexist, but they worried that America was.

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During the 2020 caucus cycle, I heard it a lot, the refrain of the cautious Democratic voter. I want to vote for her, but I don’t think she can win. It wasn’t, people reasoned, because they were sexist, but they worried that America was.

US: Women secretaries of state face threats and harassment for battling election lies

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June 22, 2022

US: Women secretaries of state face threats and harassment for battling election lies

As discussion of falsehoods about the 2020 election and their deadly consequences are televised from Capitol Hill, states’ top election officials are grappling with inaccurate information — which can make them targets.

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Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, right, talks with members of the Electoral College after the Arizona election was certified on December 14, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP/ROSS D. FRANKLIN)

As discussion of falsehoods about the 2020 election and their deadly consequences are televised from Capitol Hill, states’ top election officials are grappling with inaccurate information — which can make them targets.

World News

Nicola Sturgeon says social media abuse putting women off political career

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Nicola Sturgeon says social media abuse putting women off political career

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Nicola Sturgeon has opened up about the challenges of being a woman in politics and warned social media abuse is starting to put women off.

Speaking at the Hay Festival in Hay-On-Wye, Wales, on Friday, the first minister shared some of the double standards she has faced in her political career.

In the interview by BBC journalist Katya Adler, Ms Sturgeon said social media has made it easier for trolls to abuse female politicians.

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Nicola Sturgeon has opened up about the challenges of being a woman in politics and warned social media abuse is starting to put women off.

Speaking at the Hay Festival in Hay-On-Wye, Wales, on Friday, the first minister shared some of the double standards she has faced in her political career.

In the interview by BBC journalist Katya Adler, Ms Sturgeon said social media has made it easier for trolls to abuse female politicians.

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