Women Make the News 2019

Here you will find resources to assist you with your Gender Equality Checkup.

   Find out where you are on the GEM scale

GEM stands for Gender Equality Marker - to find out where you are, you will need to take the Gender Equality Checkup. The GEM is a   resource tracking mechanism based on a coding system. It is intended to measure the extent to which activities expect to contribute to the promotion of gender equality and the implementation of UNESCO’s Gender Equality Action Plan for 2014-2021 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

GEM 1: The workplan is GENDER SENSITIVE. It identifies and acknowledges the existing differences and inequalities between women and men.

GEM 2: The workplan is GENDER RESPONSIVE. It identifies and acknowledges the existing differences and inequalities between women and men AND articulates policies and initiatives which address the different needs, aspirations, capacities and contributions of women and men.

GEM 3: The workplan is GENDER TRANSFORMATIVE.  It implements actions and initiatives that challenge existing discriminatory policies and/or practices and carries out changes for the betterment of quality of life for all. 

See more information about the GEM markers here.

   Familiarise yourself and your organisation with the Guidelines on Gender-Neutral Language

This is particularly relevant to the news publishing sector - whether news publication is your core business, or you are a non-government organisation who has a newsletter or webpage that provides information to your audience. Pages 7-15 of the guidelines offer an easy-to-use table of gender-neutral language. Click here to download the free guide.

   Confused about gender language?

UNESCO has made a publication to help you navigate the various terms used to help you to implement a gender-transformative work plan. Click here to download.

    Using the Gender-Sensitive Indicators for Media

The aim of the Gender-Sensitive Indicators for Media (GSIM) is to contribute to gender equality and women’s empowerment in and through media of all forms, irrespective of the technology used. The main focus of the publication is on the equality and gender dimensions of social diversity in the media. You can read the full GSIMs by clicking here. The GSIMs are available in a variety of languages.

    Become a Gendered Manager in Media

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers, through its Women in News programme, has created a handy and simple guide to ensure editors and editors-in-chief are gender sensitive, with strategies in the newsroom to assist becoming a gender transformative organisation. This book also uses the GSIMs in a simple, easy-to-use guide. Click here to find out more. 

    UNESCO handbook, "Getting the Balance Right: Gender Equality in Journalism"

This handbook, “Getting the Balance Right”, is a timely, illustrated and easy-to-read guide and resource material for journalists. The handbook evolved primarily out of a desire to equip all journalists with more information and understanding of gender issues in their work. It is addressed to media organisations, professional associations and journalists’ unions seeking to contribute to the goal of gender equality. Click here to download.

   General tools

Remember, gender mainstreaming is a process rather than a goal!

UNESCO has many more guidelines and tools to support gender equality work. We welcome you to visit the UNESCO guidelines for gender equality links below to help mainstream gender into your work and projects. Click here to see the full list.

For more information about Women Make the News 2019, please contact Mirta Lourenço at m.lourenco(at)unesco.org.