PHOTO : COURTESY
By Queenter Mbori, Executive Director, AMWIK
As the world commemorates International Women’s Day 2025 on March 8th, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the progress made in advancing women’s leadership and gender equality over the past three decades. Since the landmark 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, significant strides have been made globally in increasing women’s representation in leadership, enacting progressive policies, and amplifying women’s voices in media and governance. Women have been at the forefront of this transformation, pioneering initiatives that have reshaped social and political landscapes across nations.
A defining moment in the journey toward gender equality has been the adoption of the Constitution 2010 and legislative measures aimed at promoting women’s participation in leadership. For instance, affirmative action policies, such as gender quotas, have been instrumental in increasing women’s representation in decision-making spaces. The introduction of measures like the two-thirds gender rule, which ensures that no more than two-thirds of elective or appointive positions are held by one gender, has marked a critical step forward. While the full implementation of such policies has faced challenges, their impact is evident in the growing number of women in parliaments, local governments, and executive roles.
The 2022 elections in several countries, for example, marked historic milestones, with record numbers of women elected to leadership positions. This shift reflects changing societal attitudes and a growing recognition of the value women bring to governance. Female leaders have driven key discussions on economic empowerment, gender-based violence (GBV), and social justice, demonstrating the transformative power of inclusive leadership.
Despite these advancements, women’s representation in leadership remains below desired thresholds. As of 2023, women held only 34% of key decision-making positions across various arms of government globally, highlighting both progress and the persistent challenges. In the public sector, women’s representation in middle and upper management roles remains disproportionately low, underscoring the need for continued advocacy and policy enforcement to bridge the gender gap.
Media advocacy has played a pivotal role in amplifying women’s voices and advancing gender equality. By promoting gender-sensitive reporting and empowering women journalists through mentorship, training, and leadership programs, media organizations have contributed to reshaping narratives around women’s leadership. However, challenges persist in the media industry. Despite women constituting a significant portion of journalism graduates, their representation in media leadership remains low. Studies show that while women make up the majority of journalism graduates, they are often underrepresented in senior roles within media organizations. This disparity underscores the need for sustained efforts to promote gender equality within the industry.
Media organizations have also been instrumental in shaping public discourse on women’s rights. By promoting fair representation in news coverage, highlighting women’s achievements, and challenging gender stereotypes, they have used media as a tool for change.
Digital platforms have further expanded opportunities for women to share their stories, engage in discussions, and influence national and global conversations. The progress seen today is a testament to the resilience of women and their allies. Young women now have more role models, greater leadership opportunities, and stronger support systems. Although barriers remain, collective efforts by governments, civil society, and media advocacy groups continue to break them down, moving societies closer to gender equality.
Looking ahead, the vision for a more equitable future includes a media landscape where women are fully represented, empowered, and influential in shaping policy and public opinion. Increasing women’s leadership in media by advocating for more female editors, managers, and executives is a critical step. Promoting gender-sensitive reporting remains a priority, ensuring that women are fairly and accurately portrayed in news coverage, particularly in politics, business, and governance. Expanding mentorship and training programs for young female journalists, equipping them with digital, investigative, and leadership skills, is equally important. Additionally, fostering gender-responsive media policies is crucial to guaranteeing equal opportunities for women in the industry. Addressing gender-based violence in media spaces, including workplace harassment and online abuse, is another key focus, as these issues continue to hinder women’s participation.
Digital platforms offer immense potential to empower women, with social media, podcasts, and online publications providing spaces to showcase women’s achievements and challenge stereotypes. Advocacy for research-based policy reforms will further support gender equity in media and leadership. Supporting women’s political participation by using media to highlight female leaders, encourage more women to run for office, and push for the full implementation of gender quotas is also essential.
For these efforts to succeed, governments must actively support gender equality in media, governance, and policy implementation. Enforcing gender-responsive media policies is essential to ensuring equal employment opportunities, fair pay, and leadership roles for women in newsrooms. Full implementation of gender quotas is necessary to guarantee equitable representation of women in decision-making bodies. Strengthening laws against gender-based violence, workplace harassment, and online abuse is critical in creating safer environments for women. Additionally, providing financial and technical support for women-centered media initiatives, such as grants, fellowships, and digital training programs, will further advance women’s participation in the industry.
Collaboration between governments, civil society organizations, and media advocacy groups is vital in driving national gender equality campaigns and conducting research to inform policies. Investing in digital transformation will also help close the digital divide, ensuring that women in media, technology, and journalism can thrive in an evolving landscape.
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day 2025, the commitment to gender equality remains strong. While the journey is far from over, the combined efforts of women leaders, policymakers, media organizations, and advocacy groups continue to push societies toward a more inclusive and equitable future. With continued investment in media representation, leadership opportunities, and policy reforms, the future of women’s leadership is brighter than ever. Through resilience, collaboration, and innovation, the world is setting the stage for a future where gender equality is not just an aspiration but a lived reality.
