Promoting the visibility of women experts in the media for a better working world!

From the Women's Forum Conference

http://www.womens-forum.com/stories/promoting-the-visibility-of-women-ex...
09.25.2013 by Valérie Tandeau De Marsac

The importance of promoting the culture of equality in the workplace expands way beyond the field of corporate social responsibility. It is a general principle of international law ratified by all member countries of the United Nations, and thus the responsibility of all actors of our modern societies, including the media.

However, statistical evidence (the last by Global Media Monitoring Program which conducts a survey in over 100 countries around the world every five years) unfortunately shows that the media still massively promote an image of women limited by traditional stereotypes.

Too many largely unconscious beliefs regarding the place of women in society still limit the representation of women in the media. Women are almost always interviewed as witnesses of everyday life, transparent shadows with no surname…

Throughout the world, women speakers represent only 18% of experts in the media, while men experts still represent a massive 82 %.

Objectives have been set by the 1995 Beijing Conference organized by the United Nations, the Program aim is to « increase the participation and access of women to expression and decision-making in and through the media and new technologies of communication » and « promote a balanced and non-stereotyped portrayal of women in the media ».

Featuring intensive individual coaching workshops, surveys, and a series of practical seminars centered on real-life scenarios, have been set up by women organizations and initiatives aiming at strengthening women's voices and their representation as experts and professionals in the media, whether traditional or digital. Though, these initiatives should be supported by the corporate world and the media to be meaningful.

We believe that visibility in the media is a powerful tool to leverage gender equality in the corporate world and this has to be promoted altogether by representatives of major companies and the media working together to achieve this ambitious and critical objective.

Do not hesitate to use your influence to increase the overall visibility of experienced and recognized business women, while inspiring younger generations on the way ! Get involved for change towards a better gender balance in the corporate world and in the media !