Understanding the Global Media Divide: Violence Against Women in Focus
In an era where the narrative on violence against women is undergoing significant transformation, Monash University is set to host a pivotal panel discussion. This event, scheduled for Tuesday, 12 December in Melbourne, brings together a confluence of global experts. Their objective? To dissect and understand the media’s portrayal of violence against women, particularly during the transformative #MeToo and COVID-19 eras.
The Global South: A Story Untold
The crisis of violence against women is not new, yet its impact is more severe in the Global South. This region, characterized by asset-oriented economies and historical challenges, includes parts of Southeast and Central Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Despite the acute nature of this crisis here, mainstream media has largely overlooked these women’s stories.
Dr. Andrea Baker of Monash University points out a critical shift during the #MeToo era, where the Global North’s media coverage transcended the narrative of violence as an isolated event. It began acknowledging it as a widespread societal issue. However, this coverage was not without its limitations, often focused through a lens privileging white, middle-to-upper-income, cis-gendered feminist voices.
“Inequities around class, gender, race, sexuality, disability and mental health issues are a leading factor for violence against women. These inequities are more acutely felt by women in the Global South, yet violence against women in this region receives minimal media coverage,” Dr Baker emphasized.
Challenges and Changes in Media Reporting
The discussion will also shed light on the structural and systematic barriers journalists face when reporting violence against women in these vulnerable regions. Despite these challenges and politically constrained media environments, social media movements in the Global South are burgeoning, offering women a platform to voice their concerns and share their stories.
Professor Celeste Gonzalez Bustamante from the University of Texas at Austin will share insights into the changing dynamics of feminist protest coverage in mainstream Mexican media, influenced by the #MeToo movement’s revitalization.
Professor Jeannine Relly from the University of Arizona will explore the legacy of social media and traditional reporting on violence against women in countries like Libya, Syria, and Yemen. She notes the ongoing struggles against inequality and conflict, compounded by limited internet access and public feminist activity.
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Fostering a More Inclusive Journalistic Approach
The panel aims to advocate for a journalistic approach that amalgamates diverse perspectives, fostering more gender-sensitive and solutions-driven reporting on violence against women. This approach is crucial for both the Global South, with its unique challenges and media systems, and the Global North.
The panel discussion, introduced by Cara Gleeson from the Our Watch Institute and chaired by Professor Jacqui True of Monash University, will feature an impressive lineup of panelists. These include Dr. Andrea Baker, Professor Celeste Gonzalez Bustamante, Professor Jeannine Relly, Dr. Nasya Bahfen from La Trobe University, and Professor Usha Manchanda Rodrigues from the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India.
Join the Conversation
This event, open to the public and free of charge, is a call to action for all who seek to understand and change the narrative of violence against women in media. It’s not just a discussion; it’s a movement towards a more informed and inclusive world. The event will be held at the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, 210 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, from 7 pm to 9 pm. To learn more and secure your place, interested attendees are encouraged to register.
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