Gender equality is when men and women have equal positions and roles, are given conditions and opportunities to develop their abilities for the development of the community and family, and enjoy the same results of that development.
Over the years, press activities have gradually contributed to affirming and enhancing the role and position of men and women. The propaganda work on gender equality has been identified by press agencies as an important political task, clearly demonstrated in all types of press.
Female journalist on stormy sea voyages when coming to Truong Sa, DK1 platform. Photo: NVCC
The carefully invested press works contribute to changing, raising awareness, transforming gender equality behavior at all levels, sectors and the whole society, making an important contribution to the sustainable development of the country. However, in reality, the propaganda on gender equality has not yet met the desired requirements.
Expert Le Van Son, Director of the Center for Gender, Family and Community Development Studies, shared the fact that men are often reported more when participating in economic activities, and it is true that they participate in these activities more than women. The press has accurately reflected this story, but it has made many people understand that the economic role is mainly male. This is not the fault of journalists, but the reality of life and society is reflecting it. However, this unintentionally makes the gender issue more serious, invisibly helping to make society accept it according to that model.
In fact, gender discrimination is also in the way of judging and commenting on an issue. The press often reflects the thoughts and aspirations of the people to the public or to leaders and at the same time guides public opinion regarding gender issues. Therefore, when journalists and reporters comment and discuss an issue, if the writer understands gender equality and is sensitive to gender, the issue raised will become better. However, sometimes we easily judge or comment incorrectly about gender.
In order for the press to effectively promote gender equality, expert Le Van Son shared: We need to be responsible when reflecting on gender issues. When we analyze aspects related to people and gender, we try to accurately reflect the impacts on each gender and group of subjects so that readers can correctly understand and deeply understand different groups of subjects, including both men and women. Only then will the article be better. Journalists use images, plots, messages, characters, and language to change the perspective in a way that is not gender-biased but looks at it realistically.
Journalist Nguyen Thi Thuc Hanh, Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Women's Newspaper, shares about gender equality work.
Not only does the press promote the spirit of gender equality in the community, but gender equality work is also taking place within each newsroom of each press agency. Over the past years, the role of female journalists has made great strides in the journalism industry. Female journalists no longer have difficulty finding jobs due to the prejudices of newsrooms towards female journalists as before. From filming, taking photos, investigating... both men and women do their jobs well and have equality.
The Vietnam Journalists Association also has many gender training programs. The Association also coordinates with units to develop projects and programs that integrate gender equality and have activities for the advancement of women. We strive to further develop the role of women in journalism and media.
Journalist Nguyen Thi Thuc Hanh, Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Women's Newspaper, said, I myself have participated in many training programs on gender equality, and Vietnam Women's Newspaper also continuously trains reporters on this issue. Working at Vietnam Women's Newspaper, male reporters are also taken care of. At times, more than 60% of us are men, and we continue to organize activities to celebrate International Men's Day. The newspaper's Men's Club has developed very strongly, which is why women feel equality and happiness. Regardless of gender, good or bad, we accept differences.
In order to have long-term strategies on gender equality in journalism, journalist Nguyen Thi Thuc Hanh hopes that schools, especially journalism training schools, will include content or have specialized subjects on gender in journalism schools. I hope that the Vietnam Journalists Association will coordinate with Oxfam in Vietnam and us to develop plans and training programs, including training for leaders of press agencies on gender, thereby spreading the pioneering spirit of promoting gender equality. However, I think this is a long journey, in the coming time, we need to do more specific work and activities.
It can be said that the press has a particularly important mission in conveying information about gender equality, contributing to changing public awareness and behavior. Propagating, mobilizing, and spreading correct, profound, and comprehensive images and messages about gender equality is both a role and a challenge for the press in the coming time. Therefore, each press agency also needs to create and maintain new, progressive models and standards that are suitable for development, while gradually eliminating old models and standards that are no longer suitable.
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