Stakeholders from media, civil society, government, and development partners recently convened for a symposium on research examining how gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide are framed by media and civil society in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The forum was organized by the Aga Khan Foundation and the Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communication, with participation from UN Women, the Ministry of Gender, journalists, NGOs, and civil society organizations.
Speaking at the symposium, Ms. Harriet Chiggai, Presidential Advisor on Gender Affairs, emphasized the need for better coordination and shared understanding among key actors. She noted that fragmented approaches to reporting and advocacy weaken progress and distort public understanding of gender justice issues.
Ms. Chiggai underscored that gender inequality is not just a social concern, but an economic, justice, and development issue. She highlighted persistent challenges across the region, including GBV, economic exclusion, unequal access to education, and limited representation of women in leadership.
Addressing the media directly, she challenged journalists to recognize their role as shapers of narratives, urging ethical, survivor-centered reporting that restores dignity rather than sensationalizes harm. She emphasized that responsible journalism is not only professional work, but a form of public service.
The symposium also marked the conclusion of the Advancing Gender Equity in Media and Civil Society (AGECS) Project. While the project has come to an end, the call to action remains clear: research must inform policy, data must shape implementation, and evidence must move beyond reports into institutions and communities.
Gender equality, she concluded, is not charity—it is justice, leadership, and a measure of who we are as a society.