Zanzibari women are at the forefront of climate action. From grassroots initiatives to international policymaking, women are leading the charge in addressing climate change and its devastating impacts.
Yet, despite their significant contributions, women often remain underrepresented and overlooked in media coverage of climate issues. This lack of visibility can hinder their efforts and perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
A soon-to-be-launched report from the Media Gap Analysis conducted by Tanzania Media Women’s Association—Zanzibar (TAMWA—Z) to assess the current gaps, challenges, and opportunities in promoting women’s leadership in nature-based climate adaptation in Zanzibar shows that media content in Zanzibar consistently fails to highlight women’s leadership or contributions.
The study, carried out under the ZanzAdapt project funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Community Forests Pemba in collaboration with Community Forests International, TAMWA—Z, and Africa Centre for Sustainable and Inclusive Development Organisation, noted that the problem is worse when it comes to women’s leadership in environment and climate adaptation.
Gender-sensitive storytelling is rare, with few platforms showcasing women’s success stories in environmental leadership.
Positive representation in the media is crucial for empowering women and inspiring the next generation of climate leaders. It can challenge gender norms, shatter stereotypes, and create a more inclusive and equitable society.
Media narratives about climate change often focus on male scientists and policymakers, neglecting women’s diverse perspectives and experiences. This limited representation can lead to a narrow understanding of climate issues and exclude valuable insights from women’s unique knowledge and skills.
By amplifying the voices of women climate leaders, the media can showcase the diverse range of solutions and strategies being implemented to address climate change. This can inspire others, particularly young women and girls, to pursue careers in environmental science, policy, and activism.
Traditional gender roles often confine women to domestic spheres, limiting their participation in public life and decision-making processes. This can hinder their ability to contribute to climate action and perpetuate harmful stereotypes about women’s capabilities.
Positive media representation can challenge these stereotypes by portraying women as strong, intelligent, and capable leaders who are actively working to address climate change. This can inspire girls and young women to pursue their passions and break down barriers.
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Media outlets should actively seek out and amplify the voices of women climate leaders through interviews, feature stories, documentaries, and social media campaigns.
Journalists and editors should be encouraged to consider gender diversity when selecting sources and crafting stories. By highlighting women’s contributions, the media can create a more accurate and inclusive portrayal of climate change.
Using gender-inclusive language can help promote gender equality and empower women. Media outlets should avoid using masculine pronouns to refer to people of unspecified gender and instead use gender-neutral language.
The media can create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for women and girls interested in climate action by using inclusive language.
Women are at the forefront of innovative solutions to climate change, from developing sustainable technologies to implementing community-based adaptation strategies. By highlighting these innovations, the media can showcase women’s creativity and ingenuity and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
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The media should celebrate the achievements of women climate leaders and recognise their contributions to environmental sustainability. This can be done through awards, honours, and public recognition. By celebrating women’s successes, the media can inspire future generations of women to pursue careers in climate action and environmental stewardship.
By empowering women to see themselves positively represented in the media as leaders in climate adaptation and environmental stewardship, we can create a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for all.
Through the ZanzAdapt project, Community Forests Pemba has empowered women to participate actively in nature-based climate adaptation. The organisation has equipped women with the skills and knowledge necessary to access conservation-based income and decision-making roles by providing training and capacity-building opportunities.
Community Forests Pemba has also actively promoted women’s leadership through media advocacy, highlighting their contributions to climate action and environmental stewardship.
By amplifying women’s voices and challenging gender stereotypes, the organisation is creating a more inclusive and equitable society where women can fully contribute to addressing climate change.
Khelef Nassor is a communications officer with the Community Forests Pemba, an NGO that works around climate justice in Zanzibar. He is available at khelefnassor@gmail.com. These are the writer’s own opinions, and they do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of The Chanzo. Do you want to publish in this space? Contact our editors at editor@thechanzo.com for further inquiries.
