Journos urged to break the menace of gender stereotyping

Ms Melody M. Darkey, the National Programs Coordinator of Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF), has charged journalists to break the menace of gender stereotyping in the country.She encouraged the journalists to clamp down on gender stereotyping and promote equality and inclusivity, as well as challenging societal norms and expectations.Ms Darkey disclosed this at a four-day workshop at Sogakope in the South Tongu district of the Volta Region on Wednesday.She entreated the journalists to promote diverse representation in the media, support education and career choices, foster open communication and empathy.She emphasized that the media advocate for policies that promote gender equality.'The issue of gender stereotyping is not helping our various societies across the country. Use your platforms to champion a course and do advocacy for it to be changed. This would help to combat it,' she added.Madam Darkey stated that it was important journalists forster inclusive reporting practices, av oid languages that reinforces stereotypes, and featuring diverse perspectives and voices.'The common stereotypes surrounding men and women, includes men being stronger and emotionless, and women being nurturing and submissive are perpetuating stereotypes and we charge you to avert them,' she indicated.The journalists pledged their commitment to putting an end to gender stereotyping and enforce gender equality through various initiatives, including capacity-building sessions for civil society and private sector organizations for a more equitable society.The four-day workshop was a post-Covid-19 Skills Development and Productivity Enhancement Project (PSDPEP) which was organized by the Government of Ghana and funded by the African Development Fund (AfDB), to train journalists in advocacy on health, gender and MSMEs.Source: Ghana News Agency