Breaking Barriers: 5 Powerful UNESCO Strategies to Overcome Media Inequality & Champion Gender Equity for Beijing+30

On January 21-22, 5 UNESCO Strategies brought together 25 experts from different regions at its Paris Headquarters to discuss “Women and the Media,” a key part of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The meeting aimed to review progress made over the last 30 years and highlight new challenges ahead of the Beijing +30 review.

The Importance of the 5 UNESCO Strategies

Adopted in 1995 by 189 countries, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action remains a global policy guide for gender equality. It focuses on 12 critical areas, including Strategic Objective J – Women and the Media. This objective urges governments, media, civil society, and the private sector to:

✔️ Promote gender equality in media representation
✔️ Increase women’s leadership in the media industry

The Beijing +30 review, 5 UNESCO Strategies mandated by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), will be the most detailed assessment since 1995, evaluating how much progress has been made.

UNESCO’s Role in Advancing Gender Equality in Media

As the UN agency responsible for freedom of expression, access to information, and journalist safety, UNESCO is committed to addressing gender-related issues in the media. This work aligns with its Global Priority Gender Equality agenda.

To support this mission, UNESCO held this expert consultation to:
🔹 Review past progress on Women and the Media
🔹 Evaluate its relevance in today’s digital world
🔹 Provide recommendations to key stakeholders

This effort is further anneal by a recent 5 UNESCO Strategies decision by the Intergovernmental Council of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).

During the consultation, 5 UNESCO Strategies experts focused on critical challenges facing women in media today, including:
✅ Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) – Online harassment and abuse targeted at women journalists and media professionals
✅ AI-driven biases – The impact of artificial intelligence on gender representation in the media
✅ Safety of women journalists – The need for stronger protections and policies to ensure their security

The findings from this consultation will help shape recommendations for the Beijing +30 review, ensuring that gender equality in media remains a global priority. By addressing pressing issues and encouraging policy changes, UNESCO continues to work toward a future where women have equal representation, opportunities, and safety in the media 5 UNESCO Strategies industry.

UNESCO is working hard to do just that. 5 UNESCO Strategies Here are five simple strategies they’re using to boost gender equity in media:

1. Training and Skill Building:

Many women don’t have the same chances to learn media skills. UNESCO provides training in things like reporting, using technology, and leadership. This helps women get better jobs and have a stronger voice in the media. By learning new skills, women can tell their own stories and change how they are seen.

2. Supporting Women’s Media Networks:

Women working in media often face challenges.5 UNESCO Strategies helps create and support networks where women can connect, share ideas, and help each other. These networks provide a safe space for women to learn from each other and find support. When women work together, they are stronger and can make bigger changes.

3. Promoting Gender-Sensitive Media Content:

Media often shows women in limited ways. UNESCO encourages media organizations to create content that shows women in all their diversity. This means showing women as leaders, experts, and strong individuals. They also promote content that challenges stereotypes and shows the real lives of women. By changing the stories we see, we can change how people think.

4. Making Media Policies Fair:

Laws and policies can make a big difference. UNESCO works with governments and media organizations to create fair policies. This includes things like equal pay, safe workplaces, and more women in leadership roles. Fair policies help create a level playing field for women in media.

5. Monitoring and Research:

To know what’s working and what’s not, 5 UNESCO Strategies we need good information. UNESCO does research and monitors media to see how women are represented. They collect data on things like the number of women in media jobs and how often women are featured in news stories. This information helps us understand the problems and make better plans for change.

As we approach Beijing+30, these UNESCO strategies are key to building a media landscape where women are truly equal. By supporting these efforts, we can help break barriers and create a world where women’s voices are heard and respected.