Southern Africa: Gender equality in newsrooms under the spotlight
Johannesburg, 15 April 2026; Media managers and journalists from across Southern Africa are gathering in Johannesburg 15–16 April 2026 to review the results of the Media Parity programme, an innovative initiative to promote gender equality in and through the media. The event marks the culmination of the two-year collaboration to champion gender equality both within newsrooms and in the stories they tell.
Hosted by CFI Media Development in partnership with Gender Links, the Media Parity Regional Perspectives Conference brings together representatives from participating media outlets across Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia to share experiences, exchange learning and sustain momentum for gender equality in the media.
Working in collaboration with 22 media outlets spanning print, online, radio and television, the Media Parity programme combined practical workshops, personalised reporting mentorship and in-house outlet events to strengthen reporting practices and foster safer, more inclusive newsroom workplaces.
Key results:
- Over 100 journalists trained and mentored in gender-aware reporting and building inclusive workplaces.
- 303 stories produced with a gender lens, featuring diverse voices and unique news relevance;
- Concrete actions introduced to prevent workplace sexual harassment, including staff training and establishing prevention and response mechanisms
Media Parity responds to persistent inequalities in media representation. Across Southern Africa, women make up just one fifth of news sources — a figure that has changed little over the past two decades, both in the region and globally. Women continued to be portrayed in a limited and stereotypical range of roles. At the same time, sexual harassment remains rampant in newsrooms, exacerbated by online violence targeting women journalists.
“For 25 years Gender Links has held fast to a core conviction: gender equality must be advanced in and through the media - not as an add-on, but a fundamental principle shaping what is covered, whose voices are heard and how stories are told,” said Colleen Lowe Morna, Gender Links Special Advisor. “The Media Parity stories show how a gender lens leads to fresh angles, deeper insight and more compelling journalism. Simply put, gender-aware journalism is good journalism.”
At a time of global backlash against gender equality, strengthening inclusive journalism is essential to advancing democratic, equitable and informed societies. Media does more than report events - it shapes public understanding, influences norms and determines whose issues are heard.
The programme underscores the need for sustained efforts in media development, gender equality and training. Embedding gender-aware journalism will require ongoing support, particularly in the face of emerging challenges such as backlash and gender-based disinformation.
The Media Parity programme, a partnership between Gender Links and CFI Media Development, worked with media outlets in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia to advance gender equality in and through the media. Launched in May 2025, the programme emphasised practical skills, targeted support and real-world newsroom application.
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Gender Links is a Southern African non-governmental organisation that works towards an inclusive, equal and just society for women and girls in all their diversity. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Johannesburg, Gender Links operates across the SADC region and beyond to advance gender equality and justice through policy advocacy, media, local action and movement building.
CFI Media is a French public agency that works for freedom of expression, press freedom and media independence. CFI provides support to journalists, media outlets and civil society across the world to ensure populations are as well-informed as possible. The organisation’s work revolves around gender equality, countering misinformation and promoting democracy and citizen engagement.
More information:
For accreditation and further information
Deborah Walter – media@genderlinks.org.za
