MMZ Deplores Media Coverage of Women During Covid-19 Pandemic

By Lloyd Takawira

In it’s latest research Media Monitors Zimbabwe noted the coverage of women in media was only at 4% during Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

The group said that the manner in which women have been portrayed in the media undermined women’s contribution during the pandemic.

“It is critical for the local media to mainstream the welfare and livelihood of women during state of emergencies in order to document how they are faring.

“Local media to diversify their perspectives on gender inclusion. This will give a holistic view of how women are coping during the pandemic,” reads the MMZ report.

The report added, “apart from women leadership , most women coverage was portrayed as vulnerable victims of the pandemic. The fact that women voices are barely heard in reports on pertinent issues attests to the deficiencies in sourcing patterns adopted by the media.”

According to the UNESCO 2021, the covid-19 pandemic period starting 2020 is set to erode decades of concerted efforts on women rights around the globe.

In it’s recommendations Media Monitors Zimbabwe said that the media must scale up it’s reportage on Women in order bring to light womens issues .

“There is a need to mainstream women’s coverage by the media, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic”.

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