The Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus to the 53rd Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum being held in Arusha, Tanzania, has raised concerns about the imbalance in the reporting of issues affecting women in mainstream media, as well as online gender-based violence and harassment.
Ms Regina Esparon from the Seychelles, who is the Chairperson of the Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus presented a report on the theme “Leveraging Social Media to Advance Women’s Political Participation in the SADC Region”.
The Women’s Caucus reported that its members received training in using social media and were exposed to the benefits and dangers of using social media platforms for advocacy and communication. The Women's Caucus encouraged SADC women in the political sphere to embrace social media but urged them to exercise caution and be aware of the potential for cyberbullying.
South African MP Ms Kate Bilankulu seconded the motion, saying that she appreciated the serious limitations and risks highlighted by the Women’s Caucus concerning the use of social media. She added that there is still a great deal of concern about the online abuse and harassment of women, which threatens, intimidates, harasses and humiliates women in online spaces.
Ms Bilankulu said media plays a very important role in disseminating information in society. However, media coverage for women is imbalanced when compared to the coverage of men’s activities. “Women are either underrepresented or misrepresented in the media and as can be expected, this threatens, or at least reduces their political prospects,” she said.
Ms Bilankulu called for SADC women parliamentarians to harness the use of digital platforms to publish compelling stories about themselves and make brand names for themselves so that the world can recognise their worth. Furthermore, publishing stories from the viewpoint of women may help in dealing with the negative gender stereotypes often portrayed in both traditional and new media organisations. Violence against women and girls can still be largely located in existing gender inequalities in the SADC region.
Ms Bilankulu reminded the plenary that in 2008, SADC heads of state and government adopted the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. The SADC Protocol focused on four main pillars: gender mainstreaming; women in politics and decision making; gender-based violence; and women’s economic empowerment. Ms Bilankulu said, “It is quite disheartening to note that, in this day and age, women in the SADC region still face challenges related to gender inequality.”
The plenary heard that there is a need to increase women’s and youth’s access to digital technology and further called upon SADC member states to grant tax rebates or subsidies on the importation of digital devices.
Ms Bilankulu concluded by saying SADC member states should ensure the provision of reliable electricity supply and internet connectivity, especially in remote areas, while negotiating with mobile service providers to provide affordable airtime and data.
Jabulani Majozi
6 July 2023
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