Gender and Media

Aida Al Kaisy (SOAS)

The Iraqi media landscape is defined by concerns that have afflicted the country over the last century, namely conflict, violence, geopolitics and corruption. The mainstream media landscape now reflects political narratives of the state and political actors, providing a tool for control and violence. Newsroom hierarchies and organisational structures reflect this politicised landscape; issues related to gender equality and women’s rights remain contested. This politicisation coupled with the rising influence of non-state actors on the political scene, such as ISIS or paramilitary groups across Iraq, sees threats to journalists on the increase. Online harassment of female journalists is reported with alarming regularity. Cases where journalists have been discriminated against and excluded on a gender basis are many.

This lecture will provide insight into the structural conditions that are impacting on the development of content for and by women. Based on interviews with media practitioners and focus groups with audiences across Iraq, May – October 2019, it will examine the extent to which Iraqi women are playing a role in the creation and dissemination of media content and identify the main obstacles to equal access and participation of women in the media.

Aida Kaisy is a Media Reform Advisor and has worked extensively on media development projects across the MENA region including in Iraq, Palestine and Tunisia. She is currently working on a number of projects, focusing on issues related to youth engagement in media, media in conflict, social cohesion and the media and the development of independent media platforms in MENA amongst other things. She is completing a PhD at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, where she also teaches on a part-time basis, on the performance of the media in conflict, using Iraq as a case study.

Organiser: Centre for Global Media & Communication

Contact email: mp41@soas.ac.uk