Kike Africa Facilitates Dialogue on Underreporting of Women in Media During World Press Freedom Day in Arusha
As part of the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day in Arusha, Kike Africa participated in a national forum and side event focused on advancing gender-sensitive reporting and strengthening women’s representation in the media.
The forum aimed to reposition media as a dynamic sector within the digital economy by recognizing that sustainable journalism requires not only strong ethics and protections, but also viable business models, technological adaptation, and meaningful partnerships. The national convening brought together stakeholders from across Tanzania and the region to strengthen press freedom and journalist safety, accelerate media innovation and sustainability,bridge media and technology sectors, and unlock partnerships and funding opportunities within Tanzania’s media ecosystem.
During the side event, Kike Africa facilitated an interactive session using the Problem Tree Analysis method to explore the root causes and effects of the underreporting of women’s stories in the media. The participatory session created a safe and engaging space for attendees to openly reflect on the systemic barriers that continue to limit balanced and inclusive storytelling within journalism.
The session brought together 35 participants, including journalists, editors, media partners, and women activists championing gender equality. Through group discussions and collaborative analysis, participants identified several contributing factors behind the underrepresentation of women in news coverage. Among the key issues raised were gender stereotypes in newsrooms, limited opportunities for women sources to be featured in stories, editorial biases, lack of gender-sensitive reporting skills, and unequal leadership representation within media institutions.
Participant salso discussed the broader effects of underreporting women’s issues and voices. These included the continued invisibility of women’s contributions in society, reinforcement of harmful stereotypes, reduced public awareness on gender-related issues, and limited opportunities for women and girls to see themselves represented in leadership, innovation, and decision-making spaces.
The discussions highlighted the important role media plays in shaping public narratives and influencing social change. Participants emphasized the need for newsrooms and journalists to intentionally prioritize women’s voices, invest in gender-sensitive reporting practices, and create inclusive editorial policies that promote balanced storytelling.
Over the course of the three-dayforum, participants engaged in high-level dialogue, practical learning, strategic networking, and collective commitment-building. The programme focused on public engagement and awareness, media innovation and investment, as well as commitments and national leadership.
Kike Africa remains committed to creating spaces that amplify women’s voices, strengthen ethical and inclusive journalism, and encourage media practitioners to tell stories that reflect the realities and contributions of all members of society.
The side event served not only as a platform for reflection, but also as a call to action for media stakeholders to collectively work toward more equitable and representative media coverage in Tanzania and beyond.