SADC: Launch of Gender and Media Progress Study 2026
Whose News, Whose Views?
Gender and Media Progress Study Southern Africa 2026
Media doesn't just reflect society – it shapes it. Who gets quoted, who is seen as an expert and whose stories are told all influence how we understand the world around us.
Join Gender Links for the launch of the 2026 Gender and Media Progress Study (GMPS) findings.
Date: Monday, 17 August 2026
Time: 14:00–16:00 SAST
In person: Ubuntu Conference Centre, 30 Gill Street, Johannesburg
Virtual: Register to join online
Portuguese and French interpretation will be available
Based on monitoring of over 2,000 news stories across more than 200 media outlets in all 16 SADC countries, the 2026 GMPS examines who makes the news, whose voices are heard, how people are portrayed and who reports the news. Conducted every five years since 2003, the GMPS tracks gender representation in news content and media institutions across Southern Africa, showing both where we are today and what has changed over two decades.
Alongside the GMPS findings, the programme will showcase inclusive reporting in practice, drawing on two initiatives working directly with journalists. Through the Media Parity programme, journalists produced more than 300 gender-aware stories across five Southern African countries, while the Marang Fund LGBTIQ media workstream is strengthening ethical, accurate and inclusive reporting on LGBTIQ issues.
Discussion and conversation
A panel discussion and interactive conversation will bring together voices and perspectives from across the region to reflect on the findings, progress made and what needs to change.
Moderator:
Portia Kobue, Broadcast journalist, Producer and Media trainer
Discussion panel:
Carolyn Byerly, Professor Emerita, Howard University
Glenda Daniels, Professor, Wits University Media Studies and Secretary-General of SANEF
Nompilo Gwala, Managing Editor, MambaOnline
Pamela Dube, Media Consultant, Trainer and Leadership Coach
Coinciding with the 46th SADC Summit and South Africa's Women's Month, the launch is a timely opportunity to take stock of progress and consider what it will take to achieve more inclusive and representative media across the region.
