Capacity Building for women candidates and media stakeholders in public debates in Greece – GENDER_PUBLIC DEBATE (EN)

Problem:

It is common knowledge that the media, through their dialectical relationship with the public, reproduce dominant narratives about gender, politics and social reality. In particular, research findings suggest that gender representations in advertisements, social messages, TV series, broadcasts etc. tend to reproduce stereotypical perceptions of femininity (the supposed ‘natural’ mission of women as a mother and a wife) that do not only ignore but work against the real experiences and needs of women and undermine women’s emancipation, autonomy and inclusion in the public sphere, participation in decision-making etc. 

Moreover, when it comes to public and political debates, sexist remarks, unbalanced and unfair media coverage of gender issues significantly impact not only the opportunities of individual candidates (especially female ones) but also the public’s understanding of electoral stakes and the gender balance of the electoral results

 

Solution:

The project “GENDER_PUBLIC DEBATE” has been designed to address these issues and to achieve the general objective of reinforcing the capacity of Greek female politicians and candidates in the public sphere as well as media stakeholders (journalists, media studies students, bloggers) to recognize, address and prevent gender discrimination in public debates.

Target:

The project aims to reinforce the capacity of (a) Greek women politicians and candidates for public office and (b) media stakeholders (journalists, media studies students, bloggers) to recognize, address and prevent gender discrimination in public debates.

Description of the policy / project

The following actions have been implemented:

  • Educational modules and materials for media stakeholders 

  • A needs assessment for women politicians and candidates

  • 8 workshops targeting media stakeholders and students, as well as women politicians and candidates

  • Practical guides for media stakeholders and students, and women politicians and candidates that include practical advice, case stories, language examples and proposed solutions.

Overcame obstacle

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