Women and the mass media in Africa: case studies from Sierra Leone, the Niger and Egypt

Abstract

This study examines the portrayal of women in the mass media across three African countries: Sierra Leone, the Niger, and Egypt and its implications for women's integration into development processes. The research highlights the media's potential to either reinforce traditional gender roles or promote progressive images of women as active contributors to societal progress. Findings reveal that women are often underrepresented in media content and policy-making roles, with portrayals frequently limited to domestic or stereotypical depictions. The study underscores the need for media policies that enhance women's visibility in diverse roles, improve training and employment opportunities for women in media, and leverage radio and television to reach broader audiences, particularly in rural areas. Recommendations include increasing women’s participation in media decision-making, diversifying content to reflect women's multifaceted contributions, and expanding media accessibility to support development goals.