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This paper reports on a research exercise involving monitoring the Yemeni media over a six-week period. It emphasises that the promotion of gender-balanced media coverage is a vital step toward strengthening women’s rights.

The author demonstrates that there are two areas of key concern when exploring issues of gender in the media. The first is the ways in which women are represented in the print and broadcast media, and the second is their representation in the media workforce. In this sense, relevant gender-balanced media coverage can play a central role in reducing irrational prejudices against women and empowering women.

The paper introduces the following recommendations to the government of Yemen:

• repeal all legislation that violates Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
• implement the recommendations of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), in particular those related to discriminatory legislation
• do not overlook slur campaigns against journalists, in particular through gender-based attacks that insult the dignity of women journalists or activists, undermine their credibility and put them at risk of revenge by the community
• ensure that all media laws guarantee equality of access to the media for women and men, and guarantee equal opportunities for female and male media professionals working in the media
• encourage and support women to establish their own media outlets
• increase the channels of communication between the government and women’s organisations.
  

Furthermore, the document recommends:

• civil society to support the development of publications on women’s and gender issues, and encourage the development of women-specific programming in the mainstream media
• media editors to ensure equal working terms and conditions for men and women, including salaries.
  
  

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