Civic Network in Lebanon to Change the Image of Women in Media

In partnership with ActionAid Regional Initiative, Fe-Male Association launched on Friday the ‘National Network to Change the Image of Women in Media an Advertising in Lebanon’ through a written act based on findings of a study prepared by the project with contribution of Dr. Nahawand Qadiri, under the title, ‘Towards a more balanced image of women in the Lebanese Media’. The said act was signed by a number of civil society groups, notably, Kafa Enough Violence and Exploitation, ABAAD resource center for gender, the National Media Council, Sawt el Shaab radio station and many other involved institutions and associations. The act highlights a list of provisos, stressing the following needs: create media material that does not contribute to stereotyping woman; promote women’s presence in the media and give them space to express their views on various issues; enhance the language of the media by showing more respect for women’s privacy in coverages related to gender based violence. In its address to advertising agencies, the act advised less commodification of women’s bodies and the creation of innovative publicity campaigns in their promotion of consumer goods, urging the advertising community to cooperate with civil society to produce gender sensitive advertisement. The launching event also saw the presentation of a report for 2016 compiled by Fe-Male monitoring the image of women in the media and ads. The report included a critical review of drama shows in Lebanon and the Arab World from a gender perspective, in addition to a sample of publicities and media programs published during the period from August 2015 to August 2016, clearly reflecting an objectification and stereotyping of women. To close, winners of the best gender sensitive Ad competition for university students organized jointly by Fe-Male and ABAAD were announced. Participants, Zeina Qarut and Mariam Hawari, who came in the first place were honored for their joint ad motivating women to realize their dreams. Malakeh Khanat, the first runner up, tackled in her creative ad the different prejudices against women. (As Safir, November 19, 2016)