Gender and the media research

Gender Links’ cutting-edge research generates evidence to fuel advocacy, inform journalism training and influence media policy across Southern Africa.

Gender Links’ cutting-edge research generates evidence to fuel advocacy, inform journalism training and influence media policy across Southern Africa. Our research spans content analysis, institutional audits, audience perspectives, and thematic issues such as online gender-based violence, media diversity and freedom of expression.

The Gender and Media Progress Study

The Gender and Media Progress Study (GMPS) is a pioneering longitudinal study conducted every five years since 2003, tracking progress on gender equality in news content and media institutions across 14 SADC countries.

The GMPS has provided essential insights for media activism in the region:

It monitors gender in media content, newsrooms, education and institutions, as well as how the media covers issues like SRHR, political participation, gender-based violence and economic justice
The latest GMPS, in 2020, found that women make up only 21% of voices heard in news media across Southern Africa, up from 17% in 2003 – showing incremental progress and persistent underrepresentation

What we research

Gender Links’ gender-in-the-media research covers:

Institutional audits
Gender audits assessing newsroom practices, editorial decision-making, leadership and gender policies in media houses.

Regulatory reviews
Exploring media regulators’ and press councils’ support – or neglect – of gender equality through codes of conduct, complaints mechanisms and licensing practices.

Education and training assessments
Working with journalism and media studies departments to evaluate gender in journalism curricula through the Gender in Media Education network.

Global and regional collaboration
Partnering with global monitoring initiatives, such as the Global Media Monitoring Project, to play an essential role in leading Southern African input and shaping global conversations on gender and media.

Research highlights

GMPS 2020 highlights

Understanding online violence