25 March 2009: The Place Of the Media In Advancing The Rights Of Women in Uganda

While there are laws and instruments that seek the advancement of women’s rights to land, property and education, Uganda still has a long way to go in ensuring equal rights for women. Cultural and traditional practices; a slow law reform process; discrimination of women in the work place; gender based violence and low literacy levels - which adversely affect participation in decision making processes and development - are all challenges still to be overcome.

In this process the Ugandan media has an important role to play.

Because of its ability to influence large groups of people at the same time the media is of strategic importance. It can put women on the agenda of national policy and get them actively involved in decision-making. Its role and function is not merely to inform, educate and entertain but it also shapes perception and attitudes. What we know, think and believe about what happens in the world, is shaped, in some way, by how events are reported in newspapers and communicated through the medium of radio and television. Still, the ability of the media to carry out its mandate can be hampered by political and economic restraints. Effectively used it can be a powerful tool.

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The media in Uganda has, in the last few years, been radically transformed by the liberalising and privatising of the broadcasting media. This has encouraged the formation of several television and radio stations offering a variety of content. However the media has also been met with constraints from the government, with broadcasting services such as the Central Broadcasting Services(CBS), facing accusations of inciting violence and acting as instruments of the opposition parties (The Daily Monitor Newspaper, Mercy Nalugo and Risdel Kasasira, 05.22.08) To this end the government has threatened to tame such institutions. It is the media’s role to strengthen accountability and openness in society.

Radio is the most common media for news in Uganda with a listener’s audience of almost 80% of the population (The Steadman Group, 2007). Talk shows strategically directed at the right audience can incite action not only by women but by men as well. The goal is not to exclude men but to involve them and encourage debate that can lead to action. Discussions on major gender instruments and issues can inform and educate women and men of their rights and roles in the society and possibly change the dominant patriarchal mindset. Appropriate alternative and community media can also enable the dissemination of diverse expressions and experiences, particularly from marginalized groups. Translation and distribution of both local and international instruments that encourage the participation and mainstreaming of gender into all spheres of society should be one of the main aims of the media in collaboration with the civil society organizations and government. Special attention should be given to the rural population so that they do not act as recipients but participate in development. The challenge of an elitist class owning print and electronic media that does not directly cater for the needs and priorities of the rural community can be resolved by channeling more resources to rural and community broadcasting centers. This can be a task for civil organizations that receive funding from donors.

Media institutions can also put together independent codes of ethics that expressly address gender issues within the country.

Consistent and sustained capacity building of local journalists within media institutions, male or female, reporters, editors or producers, on gender issues can also not only raise awareness about the complexities and implications of gender dynamics and power relations, but also broaden the taskforce that is able to work within the area of gender. More space and airtime can be allocated to issues related to women through portrayal of women as significant contributors to society and leaders, not just as care givers, sex objects or victims.

Understanding the need for women’s representation and participation in all spheres, coupled with the various roles of the media, its power and sphere of influence is essential in any type of advocacy that aims to benefit society establishing democratic principles. In addition, in light of the development of digital information and communication technologies in media that have the capacity to transcend national boundaries and enable proliferation of discourses at unprecedented breadth and speed, gender dimensions crucially need be to be brought forward and addressed.

Mary Chivasa, Security Sector Governance Programme, ISS Tshwane (Pretoria)