Our Goal: Empower Journalists to Help End Violence against Women
The goal of this project is to empower journalists to play a crucial role in combating violence against women. We believe that by equipping journalists with the necessary tools and knowledge, media can contribute to a society where women’s rights are recognized and respected. Networks of Change provides training programs to journalists, covering topics such as gender sensitivity, ethical reporting and understanding the legal framework related to violence against women. Through these trainings, journalists gain the skills needed to report on violence against women accurately and sensitively, ensuring that their coverage contributes to positive change.
In Partnership with Mobilizing for Rights Associates (MRA)
Networks of Change partnered with Mobilising for Rights Associates (MRA) in Morocco to create resources for journalists as they take on the challenges of reporting on violence against women. Together, we set out to provide practical guidance in multiple languages for journalists to explore the complex issues of covering VAW.
The Centerpiece: A Comprehensive Guide for Journalists
Our recently published guide, “Reporting on Violence against Women: not your ordinary story assignment” is now available in Arabic, French and English. This comprehensive guide serves as a valuable resource for writers, photojournalists, editors and media leaders who are committed to addressing the issue of violence against women in a sensitive and effective manner. The guide bridges the gap between journalism and women’s rights.
Download selected language guide
VAW Guides Video Series
Networks of Change produced a series of six videos for journalists and editorial professionals summarizing key lessons drawn from the guide. The videos, entitled “Journalism with Violence against Women”, are available on YouTube in Arabic with easy-to-follow English subtitles.
VAW Guides Video 1: Journalists with Women Against Violence
First video is an introduction to the guide and corresponding video series.
VAW Guide Videos 2 - 6 (pulldown menu)
VAW Guides Video 2: Reporting Violence Against Women
The second video highlights the different types of violence women face and how to report on it using a rights-based approach.
VAW Guides Video 3: Journalists’ Role in Reporting VAW
In the 3rd episode, we discuss how to find ideas for your stories, the different types of stories you can produce on the violence against women and the common widely spread gender stereotypes and myths.
VAW Guides Video 4: Interviewing Survivors of Violence Against Women
The 4th episode highlights the best practices in interviewing the survivors of violence against women and suggested questions to use in your interviews with women. This episode also reviews the potentially harmful terms that you should avoid in coverage.
VAW Guides Video 5: Editors Role in Reporting
What is the role of editors in reporting violence against women? How can media work together as journalists with the editorial board to achieve a gender-sensitive and human rights- based media coverage? Watch this 5th episode to know more.
VAW Guides Video 6: Understanding Public Agencies and Laws
The last episode in the series highlights the importance for journalists to understand the processes by which public agencies respond to violence against women and the chain of services available to victims, as well as a working knowledge of the laws that cover VAW.
Why the Guide?
Networks’ guide promotes gender-sensitive, data-driven content that integrates human rights into reporting. It presents information to improve the understanding of VAW along with practical guidelines on ethical standards, best practices, appropriate terminology and conducting sensitive interviews.
As stated in the UN Women’s “Media Coverage of Gender-based Violence Handbook” (2017):
“Responsible media coverage can neither end nor resolve the issue of violence against women, but it can be instrumental in triggering public response and greater involvement in prevention activities. Violence against women is not a sporadic incident caused by a ‘crazy’ partner. It is a social phenomenon. Pressure exerted by the public and the media on the institutions, calling upon them to do their job, must be strong and incessant.” UN Women’s “Media Coverage of Gender-based Violence Handbook” (2017)
How the Guide was Created
In creating the guide, Networks of Change and MRA adopted a “local listening approach.” We engaged with a multitude of voices through surveys, interviews, focus groups, a symposium series, roundtables and ongoing assessments of current coverage to identify areas of concern in reporting on VAW and ways to improve it. We also consulted with women victims/survivors of violence for their views on and experiences with the media.
How the Guide may Help Journalists
We hope our guide helps journalists better understand the intricacies of reporting on VAW and gives concrete and practical strategies to:
- Use accurate and sensitive language in reporting
- Avoid trivializing and sensationalizing VAW
- Find resources to understand laws and services
- Conduct sensitive interviews
- Avoid coverage that reinforces stereotypes and finds excuses for the abuser
The Role of Journalists in Reporting Violence Against Women
Journalists are in a position to influence public opinion and government policies. In addition, since stories are almost always digitized – regardless of the original format – they remain available online for research purposes and to support attempts to change public policies related to VAW.
Reporting on VAW is not your ordinary story assignment. Journalists need to be aware of the effects trauma has on women who have been subjected to violence, be skilled in conducting sensitive interviews, and understand laws, public services and government obligations.atives to international movements, and address a wide range of issues. Networks of Change believes that social equity and fairness thrive when people are informed and engaged.
What can Editors Do?
Editors make the final decisions on what gets published or aired. They decide on the headlines and lead-ins, the size and position of the story and placement of on-air segments. Most important, editors are instrumental in choosing how VAW is approached by their outlets. Some considerations for editors include:
- Report on the incident from beginning to end
- Don’t use sensational headlines and narratives
- Don’t bury VAW stories where they won’t be noticed
- Encourage your journalists to become specialized in reporting on VAW
- Make protecting a woman’s privacy a priority
- Provide reporters with training on the subject of VAW and reporting on it responsibly
- Create a style guide with appropriate terms to use in reporting on VAW
- Monitor online comments