The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has underscored the critical role of the media in advancement of women rights, gender equality and social justice.
MCK Nakuru Regional Coordinator Joseph Mecha told a meeting convened by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORRP) for women in political leadership based in Nakuru region that it is important for the media to be strategic in covering content that advocates for women rights.
“MCK’s mandate is anchored on six functions and media monitoring and analysis is one of them. Based on these mandates the Council actively monitored media coverage on gender issues ahead of the last General Election", he said.
Mr Mecha mentioned that the Council established that most of the news covered by media houses lacked a gender sensitivity perspective.
" Together with our partners such as ORRP we saw the need to train journalists on the importance of gender-sensitive reporting which in return ensured that women’s perspectives and achievements were accurately represented”, said Mr Mecha.
The Nakuru political dialogue forum emphasised on the need for collaborations within Kenya's political arena.
“The Council collaborates with other media stakeholders and civil society groups to promote equality in media representation and foster a collective effort towards empowering women in leadership positions”, noted Mr Mecha .
He encouraged women in leadership to utilise vernacular radio stations within their communities for publicity.
“In your quest for media coverage I urge you to tap into spaces within community radio stations. This is because these stations serve as powerful platforms for you to express your views and address matters of public interest and concerns. These stations will also help you tailor your messages in a manner that resonates with the listeners, ensuring effective communications on matters of public interest”, he said.
He urged the media to play a significant role in breaking down gender biases and promoting a more balanced and inclusive representation of women in leadership.