{"id":3496,"date":"2017-07-12T11:12:19","date_gmt":"2017-07-12T10:12:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/amdf-centre.org\/?p=3496"},"modified":"2026-07-05T20:13:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T19:13:46","slug":"tips-for-combatting-gender-based-harassment-in-the-newsroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amdf-centre.org\/2017\/07\/12\/tips-for-combatting-gender-based-harassment-in-the-newsroom\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for combatting gender-based harassment in the newsroom"},"content":{"rendered":"
Sherry Ricchiardi<\/a> |<\/div>\n
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During a meeting of women media practitioners in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, a TV anchor in her mid-20s asked to talk privately. Between sips of thick, local coffee, she explained her dilemma.<\/p>\n

She was attractive, and that was in her favor. But what about a few years down the road? Women on camera tended to be cast aside at the first sign of wrinkles, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can I prepare for when they don\u2019t want me anymore? Are there other media jobs I can do?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

Over the years, I have met women journalists in more than 35 countries. I have celebrated their successes and commiserated with them over gender inequities, various forms of intimidation and cultural barriers that threaten to blunt their progress.<\/p>\n

Challenges for female media professionals tend to have a familiar ring the world over.<\/p>\n

In May, I put this to the test with 24 Ethiopian women, veterans and novices, gathered for a discussion on women\u2019s role in the media. After introductory remarks, they separated into four groups to ponder the question: What are the greatest challenges\/obstacles they face as journalists in their homeland?<\/p>\n

The lists they produced were long and contained many common threads. Among them:<\/p>\n