Statement of Commitment for Gender Equality in South African Media

Join us for the official launch event

Date: 26th August
Time: 16:00 to 17:30
Where: Virtual Online Event – Register here

Overview

As we grapple as a society to address the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) and unequal gender dynamics, an important sector that is often overlooked is the media and creative industry.

The stories we hear and the images we see not only reflect our society, but they explain, shape and influence its future. This Statement of Commitment for Gender Equality in South African Media is meant to be a document that motivates South African news and entertainment media to take on the roles and responsibilities that come with this influence. It is meant to guide the way for signatories to become a positive force in this country’s struggle with gender inequality and gender-based violence (GBV).

Sign up as a practitioner using the link on the right. Companies can make a commitment by downloading the Introductory Letter on the right, signing it and sending it to: Luxolo.matomela@giz.de

The statement was developed as part of the Step It Up for Gender Equality in South African Media (Step It Up) project, an initiative started by UN Women South Africa and the Partnerships for Prevention of Violence against Women and Girls in Southern Africa Programme.

The Statement of Commitment forms part of the Step It Up project and was jointly drafted by media organizations and practitioners, the government institutions regulating the sector and civil society. It is directed at companies and individuals working in the South African news and entertainment broadcast media including radio, television and community radio.

The Statement of Commitment for Gender Equality in South African Media is a voluntary document intended to create awareness, self-accountability and a recognition of the responsibility held by the signing companies and individual practitioners.

Practitioner Sign Up Company Sign Up Statement of
Commitment Download

GENDER-SENSITIVE REPORTING

I/we commit to consciously using language that is gender aware and sensitive and does not reinforce gender stereotypes.
I/we commit to making a conscious effort to elevating the voices of women experts and commentators where they are currently underrepresented on such as politics, economics, religion, traditional affairs and sports.
I/we commit to educating the public on their rights and responsibilities with regards to gender discrimination and violence in accordance with the South African Constitution.

I/we commit to increasing the number of stories covering the crisis of gender-based violence in South Africa.
I/we commit to reporting on gender-based violence holistically, including coverage of the structural drivers and root causes of the problem in South Africa.
I/we commit to providing information on where and how to access response services for survivors of gender-based violence, especially after every story covering the topic.
I/we commit to ensuring that our stories in no way make survivors vulnerable to secondary victimization and victim blaming.
I/we commit to develop new or review existing editorial policies and reporting guidelines to ensure and promote gender sensitive reporting according to the commitments above.

UN-STEREOTYPING ENTERTAINMENT AND STORYTELLING

I/we commit to taking into account the power of the images we portray regarding gender, relationships and violence and recognise the harmful impact of promoting hypermasculinity.
I/we commit to work on/produce/commission/broadcast more content that challenges existing patriarchal norms, gender roles and stereotypes and promotes gender equality, diversity and nonviolence through stories, characters and images.
I/we commit to work on/produce/commission/broadcast more content that promotes positive masculinities, healthy relationships and strong and diverse women’s roles.

I/we commit to consult with civil society organisations or groups around projects or programming on gender-based violence, where possible.
I/we commit to discuss and portray the drivers and root causes of gender-based violence in my/our storytelling, where possible.
I/we commit to making available training on gender sensitivity and the role of media to our creative and commissioning staff, where possible.

CREATING A SAFE AND EQUAL SPACE “BEHIND THE SCENES”

I/we commit to creating a safe and equal workspace free from violence, harassment, discrimination, abuse and bullying for women and all people in line with the South African Constitution.
I/we commit to develop or to adhere to existing codes of conduct against sexual harassment and bullying that adequately protect the victim and sanction the perpetrator.
I/we commit to ensuring that such codes of conduct protect complainants from further harassment and secondary victimization.

I/we commit to ensuring that discrimination and sexual harassment reporting structures are independent, transparent, fair and safe.
I/we commit to empowering all employees by educating them on their rights and the rights of others with regards to sexual harassment and all forms of discrimination, violence and abuse.
I/we commit to working towards equality in representation between women and men in all positions in front of and behind the camera and microphone including in decision-making processes.