LAST month, I attended the inaugural Women in News (WIN) Guild summit in Malawi, where top women editors and publishers — members of the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)’s pioneering and prestigious community — made a bold declaration to drive change in the media industry.
“Across the globe, we are witnessing not only the persistent under-representation of women in media leadership, but also alarming efforts to roll back progress on gender equality and inclusion,” the pledge reads, in part.
“We believe that standing on the right side of history means confronting these challenges head-on, using our collective and individual power to drive meaningful transformation.”
This pledge is more than just words; it is a commitment to action. We vow to integrate mentorship programmes within our organisations, eliminate stereotypical portrayals of women in the media, champion policy changes that ensure equal opportunities, and foster a safe working environment free of discrimination and sexual harassment.
Individually, we commit to developing succession plans that include competent women, mentoring at least two women within the next year, and advocating for the promotion of women into leadership roles.
This pledge was not made in isolation — it was driven by data. The recently released findings from the WIN programme highlight the stubborn gender disparities in media leadership.
Over the past 15 years, the WIN programme has sought to change the composition of the media landscape through training and advocacy, building environments where women leaders can thrive.
Yet progress remains slow. The 2024 leadership mapping exercise, covering 207 media organisations across 19 markets, revealed that only one in four critical decision-making positions is held by women. While this marks an increase from 21% in 2022 to 24% in 2024, it is a stark reminder of the entrenched barriers to gender parity.
- Gender gap still exists in media
- Editor’s Memo: Gender inequality: Time to shatter status quo
- ‘Media grappling with gender inequality’
- It’s time for gender equality
Keep Reading
Women remain significantly underrepresented in top business and editorial roles, with men overwhelmingly dominating leadership positions.
The data also highlight regional disparities. Africa has shown the most progress, with women’s representation in business leadership rising from 12% to 20% in just two years, driven by new appointments in Botswana, Kenya, and Tanzania. Kenya, in particular, made a remarkable leap in business leadership from 0% in 2022 to 36% in 2024, thanks to intentional hiring practices by media houses such as Tuko Media, Standard Group, and Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
In Zimbabwe, 13% of business and editorial leadership positions are held by women.
Meanwhile, the Arab region has seen incremental progress, with Lebanon leading in editorial leadership at 36%. However, structural and cultural challenges persist, with many women leaders still excluded from key decision-making networks.
In Southeast Asia, women’s leadership has declined, underscoring the fragility of progress and the need for continued advocacy.
The evidence is clear: while gains have been made, systemic barriers remain. Women are still overlooked for leadership roles, often replaced by men when vacancies arise.
Succession planning and leadership transitions continue to favour male candidates, reinforcing the status quo. The 2024 findings confirm that gender equality in media leadership does not happen organically — it requires deliberate action, policy interventions, and collective willpower.
This is why our pledge matters. It is a call to action for all stakeholders — media executives, policymakers, and journalists — to take decisive steps toward gender equity. Inclusion is not just a moral imperative; it is essential for the sustainability of the media industry. Diverse leadership teams drive innovation, resilience, and audience engagement.
Gender equality strengthens democracy, enhances freedom of expression, and ensures that newsrooms reflect the societies they serve.
As we commemorate International Women’s Day, let this not be merely a moment of reflection but a spark for real change. We must move beyond rhetoric to tangible action — mentoring, promoting, and advocating for women at every level of the media industry.
The future of journalism depends on it. Change will not wait. The time for transformation is now.
