The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has launched a strategic document aimed at promoting gender equality within the Ghanaian media industry.

Supported by the French Embassy in Ghana, the project focuses on empowering female journalists, ensuring that they receive the same recognition and chances as their male counterparts.

The initiative also seeks to encourage women's active participation in media programmes, including analysis shows, leadership roles in newsrooms, and other media-related activities typically dominated by men.

Speaking at the launch event in Accra on Thursday, March 27, Rosemond Ebi-Adwo Aryeetey, Senior Programme Manager at MFWA, emphasised that the initiative aligns with Ghana’s recently passed affirmative action bill.

"The Equal Voices Project is in line with Ghana's newly enacted affirmative action law, as well as international standards for women's representation," she said.

She continued, "Gender equality goes beyond making commitments or creating policies; it is about taking action and fostering collaboration."

Marine Hayem, Cooperation Attaché at the French Embassy, stated that the French government chose to support the project because promoting women's rights is central to their diplomatic efforts.

"When women's voices are heard equally, the concerns of half the population are acknowledged," she noted.

She also highlighted that the launch of the strategy document marks an important milestone in advancing gender equity, thanks to contributions from academia, media associations, and policymakers.

Rebecca Ekpe, spokesperson for the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), who also contributed to the project, expressed concern over the low participation of women in the media sector.

"The limited representation of women perpetuates a cycle of invisibility, silencing their voices and perspectives," she said on behalf of GJA President Albert Dwumfour.

She warned that the consequences of such inequality are far-reaching, contributing to stereotypes and biases while reinforcing harmful gender norms.

She called for media houses to increase women's representation in the industry, urging that the GJA continues to advocate for this change.

Dr. Charity Binka, Executive Director of Women and Change (WOMEC), a Ghana-based civil society organisation focused on women's empowerment, also shared her frustrations with the lack of progress in achieving gender equality within the media.

She pointed out that, despite previous efforts, little has been accomplished in improving the situation, stressing that it is time to move beyond discussions and take concrete actions.

The project aims for balanced gender representation in media stories by 2030, with a target of having 30% of leadership positions held by women by 2035 and 50% by 2050.

Additionally, the initiative calls for the implementation of policies addressing harassment, discrimination, and pay equity, as well as providing training for media managers and journalists on gender-sensitive reporting.