In a still very masculine media landscape in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Congolese Union of Media Women (UCOFEM) has just revealed the results of a study on the representation of women in the Congolese media. This study, conducted over two weeks in November 2022, aims to assess the progress made in relation to gender equality in the country’s news organizations.
The results of the study reveal a very limited representation of women in the Congolese media, whether at the decision-making or editorial level. Indeed, only 7 of the 30 media outlets analyzed were run by women, and the presence of women in media content was also very low.
However, UCOFEM women journalists remain optimistic about the possibility of changing things. They argue that women are in a better position than men to understand the needs of other women, and that they could thus contribute to creating articles dedicated to women.
UCOFEM calls for the establishment of a parity office in each media, and for the sensitization of press owners, associations and the government to reverse this worrying trend.
Founded in 1997, UCOFEM is a Congolese organization that fights against discrimination against women in and through the media, and in favor of gender equality in general.