Together for Life Association, in collaboration with UN Women Albania organized a media forum on the topic "Media and Violence Against Women in Politics and Elections". Journalists from major media outlets in the country, such as Top Channel, Klan TV, News 24, Vizion Plus, A2CNN, etc., national and international experts, representatives of UN Women Albania, and the British Embassy in Tirana discussed the role of the media in reporting violence against women in politics and elections. The event was moderated by media expert and gender policy specialist Ms. Valbona Sulce.
The activity was moderated by the media expert, also gender policy specialist, Mrs. Valbona Sulce.
- Mr. Michele Ribotta, UN Women representative in Albania, in his welcoming speech, addressed some of the issues that reflect media representation, where women in politics are given less space to present their work, programs, or ideas. He emphasized the importance of working with professional media, so that the media becomes part of the solution, not part of the problem. "In recent years, we have seen a lot of progress in women's representation in politics. They are taking more seats in parliament and the cabinet. At the national level, we see more women leading political discussions in the country, and this is very good. But this must also be reflected in local governance," said Mr. Ribotta.
Ms. Mia Marzouk, Deputy Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Albania, in her speech to journalists and guests, gave some important messages related to the topic of discussion.
‘"All of you who are sitting here are now here because you are journalists, producers, and almost all of you are women. I consider this an added value. My husband is a journalist, my father was a journalist, but they are both male. Regardless of how brilliant they were in their profession; they lacked a certain empathy for this specific issue. However, we see them as allies, as we cannot tackle this alone as women. Women not only need to report on certain issues in certain ways, but they can also suffer certain reactions related to the persons they report on."
‘"We supported a project that some of you may be aware of, which produced a booklet, a study that includes the voices of 30 women from rural areas such as Puka, Shkodra, etc. This is not a statistically satisfying number of representatives, but these are the voices of women that have hardly been heard. So we thought to take the opportunity today to sit at a table with a group of journalists who can influence these women's voices being heard. I will try to present to you some expressions from them, with the aim of respecting their contribution to this study. One woman says: "Candidates talk to us, but we are not respected. It is our duty to decide". So, these 30 women want to be involved and be part of decision-making. Many of these women have been victims of domestic violence, but they have hope: "I would do more, if I had the opportunity". "We need to make politics work for Albania's future" this is the message of a woman who supports you, this is my message to you," concluded the deputy/ambassador her speech. “"We need to make politics work for Albania's future" this is the message of a woman who supports you, this is my message to you," concluded the deputy/ambassador her speech.’, përmbylli zv/ambasadorja fjalën e saj.
Rachel Weston, Regional Policy Specialist, UN Women Europe & Central Asia, said that "violence against women in politics aims to prevent the implementation of their political rights. This affects not only women who run, but also women in civil society. On the other hand, it also indirectly affects female journalists. In the electoral context, violence against women affects their participation as candidates, voters, activists, electoral workers, or any other type of involvement in the electoral process.
Especially women who are active in the political sphere or in organizations for the protection of women's rights are targeted through shame, harassment, and violence. This phenomenon is also growing and spreading on social media. The phenomenon is most pronounced during the electoral process. It is a phenomenon that men in politics do not experience.
Female journalists are also facing harassment due to their involvement in the public sphere. Açording to a study by an international organization, a high percentage of female journalists who are targeted online also face personal harassment. Online space amplifies and facilitates hate speech. Some of the studies that UN Women is conducting are in different areas of the region about women running for election, and it is observed that the prevalent form of violence is psychological and economic. Often, we read in newspapers that female candidates are criticized about their personal lives, their marital status, or if they have children, what that means for them as mothers, and about their possible extramarital relationships, etc.," said Ms. Rachel.
Female journalists are also facing harassment due to their involvement in the public sphere. Açording to a study by an international organization, a high percentage of female journalists who are targeted online also face personal harassment. Online space amplifies and facilitates hate speech. Some of the studies that UN Women is conducting are in different areas of the region about women running for election, and it is observed that the prevalent form of violence is psychological and economic. Often, we read in newspapers that female candidates are criticized about their personal lives, their marital status, or if they have children, what that means for them as mothers, and about their possible extramarital relationships, etc.," said Ms. Rachel..’ tha znj. Rachel
Estela Bulku, Drejtore e programeve, UN Women Shqipëri gjithashtu foli për gazetarët, duke u ndalur në mënyrë të vveçantë në një monitorim që UN Women ka bërë gjatë zgjedhjeve të prillit 2021 në Shqipëri, me fokus dhunën ndaj grave gjatë zgjedhjeve dhe pabarazia gjinore në mbulimin mediatik. ‘Duke qenë shumë e vështirë të identifikohet apo të raportohet dhuna ndaj grave gjatë zgjedhjeve, u përpoqëm të sjellim evidence nga media. Pasi, një nga aktorët shoqëror që përforcon dhunën ndaj grave në politikë është edhe media.’, tha znj. Bulku
Meanwhile, to encourage discussion among journalists, two important figures in the field of media and law were invited. Journalism professor Mr. Artan Fuga had an interesting conversation with the guests. In his speech, he highlighted some important issues regarding gender-based violence, especially violence against women in politics. Among other things, Prof. Fuga said, "In Albania, the first violence is that we don't have information. During election campaigns, party leaders present proposals. There are about 100 parties, we ask for the names of party leaders and how we can find them."
Law professor Ms. Eralda Methasani focused on the topic of "Sexism in the Media and Changes in the Law for the Media." Ms. Methasani mentioned some important changes in the Audiovisual Media Law in Albania, which includes the definition of the term "sexism in the media," the principle of gender equality and non-discrimination in audiovisual media, and the non-broadcasting of discriminatory programs, even for gender reasons.
In conclusion, journalists had a free discussion, bringing their experience and perspective on how journalists can address violence against women in politics and elections. Based on their experience, they said that it is very difficult to interview or talk to female candidates during election periods. "To convince a female candidate to speak during elections is very difficult," said Lindita Cela, an independent investigative journalist.
"The issue is what weight women have in politics?" another present journalist said. "It's not just a matter of involving women, but also the role and impact they have."
Journalists also talked about gender quotas imposed by the law. This law is respected only to report that we have made considerable progress in terms of achieving standards for the inclusion of women in politics, but their role and impact are almost zero.
