Employment Patterns in Media Organizations in Southern Africa
In 1998, the Federation of African Media Women - Southern African Development Community (FAMW-SADC) examined the status and roles of women working in the news media in seven southern African countries: Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.According to the introduction to the report on the study:
"This survey was an attempt to highlight the gaps in the employment patterns of media institutions in these seven countries. The findings consistently reveal common trends in employment patterns of media establishments in these countries. Findings that men constitute on average 85-90 percent of workers in media operations, while women form the majority of workers in administrative and secretarial capacities, are not surprising. What is surprising is the fact that this trend still exists despite a more liberal media environment in many of these countries and despite the notion that media is today more accessible than it has ever been.A total of 37 media outlets in these seven countries were surveyed. The following charts and data reveal the disparities found in the study."There is a need to take action for more women to be employed at all levels and in all types of work in the media. This way they can achieve the critical mass of female creative and decision-making executives who could change media output that persistently make women an invisible species in the media."
Percentage of Women Working in the Media
None of the seven countries in the survey had close to equal representation of women and men in the overall media workforce. Namibia had the highest with 35 percent and Malawi the lowest with 16 percent.
Gender Distribution in Reporting and Support Positions
As with the overall media workforce in the southern African media, men held the majority of reporting positions, with the exception of assistant reporters in Zimbabwe. In all of the countries reporting data for this category, women held all or nearly all of the secretarial positions.
According to FAMW-SADC, senior reporters, reporters and assistant reporters all generally have the same duties, but the level of responsibility with each position is different. Additionally, senior reporters generally cover economics, politics and government (the more coveted beats). Assistant reporters usually work under close supervision of either a senior reporter or reporter and tend to cover "soft" news stories.
Figures not reported for Swaziland and Tanzania
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Figures not reported for Swaziland and Tanzania
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Figures not reported for Swaziland, Tanzania and Zambia
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Figures not reported for Swaziland and Tanzania
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Gender Distribution in Decision-Making Positions
As in the other categories examined, women were overshadowed by men in decision-making positions. In only two instances - both from Tanzania - do women even approach or achieve equal representation in senior level positions.
Figures not reported for Malawi
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Figures not reported for Tanzania
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FAMW-SADC concludes that the "low numbers of women working in senior and mid-level media structures is alarming. This underscores the fact that few women enter this industry, let alone make it to the top echelons of the industry, meaning the concerns of women cannot be effectively articulated as long as this remains the status quo. Another aspect is that low levels of women working in the media means the attainment of gender equity in the industry will be slow. …There is consensus that training in journalism, technical support skills as well as administration is a key element in enhancing prospects for women in the media."
Data and information from "Study on Gender Employment Patterns in Media Organisations in the Southern Africa Region." FAMW-SADC (Harare, Zimbabwe). E-mail: famwsadc@ecoweb.co.zw. Adapted with permission.