REPORT OBJECTIVELY ON GENDER, MEDIA URGED

December 16, 2003 – (The Herald - Harare) THE media should report objectively on gender and HIV and Aids-related issues, a senior gender activist has said.

Ms Isabella Matambanadzo, director of the Zimbabwe Human Resources Centre was speaking at a gender and human rights dimensions of HIV and Aids dialogue between policy makers, women's organisations and civil society.

She underscored the need for policy makers to monitor the media.

"The media has to a large extent perpetuated the stigma and discrimination around the issue of HIV and Aids and downplayed gender-based violence in its negative portrayal of women," she said.

"As such the onus is on policy makers to monitor the media and promote gender sensitive reporting."

Ms Matambanadzo said it was known that there were sociological and biological reasons for women's increased HIV infection compared to their male counterparts. However, the country's response to the disease continued to lean towards dealing with the symptoms and its proximate causes and that was not enough.

"Finding lasting solutions requires that the underlying causes of the pandemic, such as economic segregation and disenfranchisement, gender inequality and sexual oppression are addressed," she said.

While men were involved in home-based care programmes, they were treated as professional nursing staff and provided with care kits, bicycles, shoes and allowances while women managed without any resources, she alleged. As such, there was need for the formulation of an editorial policy regarding reporting on women and HIV and Aids.

Women Members of Parliament who were present at the dialogue - Makokoba MP, Ms Thokozani Khupe, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Cde Edna Madzongwe, Glen Norah MP, Ms Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga - also echoed the same sentiments. They said the media did not give coverage to issues that had to do with women or the role they played in society.

"The media rarely ever feels that anything to do with women is news. Even us legislators feel the pinch because after the presentation of important things like the budget where everyone has something to say, you see the Press rushing for male legislators and ignoring us," said Ms Khupe.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200312160157.html