In combating gender-based violence world-wide, the media is one of the “Critical Areas of Concern” according to the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action, which gives a set of actions for governments, civil society, international organizations and the media, to advance women’s equality. The two strategic objectives of the Beijing Platform’s Section J on the media are:
- To increase women’s participation and access to expression and decision-making in and through the media and new technologies of communication.
- To promote a balanced and non-stereotyped portrayal of women and girls in the media and encourage gender-sensitive training for media professionals;
Media is crucial in shaping public opinion and attitudes, in determining the public discourse shaping political, social and cultural priorities and influencing public policy and public opinion through the news agenda. Media can act as a catalyst for social change and serve as a channel to reinforce or challenge gender, racial or other stereotypes and norms. In order to raise awareness on gender-based violence and gender equality in Georgia, working with media on gender mainstreaming and gender sensitive reporting is of a crucial importance.
In September 2009, GBV-SC Georgia conducted Gender training for Media Professionals which brought together 15 Adjara-based media professionals including representatives of TV, radio and print media, with the track record of reporting on social issues and human rights. The objective of the initiative was to train Adjara-based media professionals on gender and gender sensitive reporting in order to strengthen capacities of journalists, raise their awareness on the issues of gender equality, domestic violence and women’s rights and promote a new approach to media portrayal of women and man in public life in Georgia. Trainings of similar character are envisaged to be held in Tbilisi and other parts of Georgia within next two years of project implementation.
