Kenya’s Media Gender Crisis:
Kenya’s media industry is changing, but women still face huge challenges—from sexual harassment to being shut out of leadership. While some progress has been made, much more needs to be done to create fair and safe newsrooms.
Sexual Harassment: A Silent Crisis in Newsrooms
Sexual harassment is a major problem in Kenyan media houses. A 2024 report by the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) found:
- 60% of female journalists have faced harassment.
- 70% of cases go unpunished.
- 87% fear retaliation if they report it.
- Nearly half don’t know how to safely report harassment.
Many newsrooms lack strong policies to protect women, leaving victims with nowhere to turn.
Where Are the Women Leaders?
Despite making up a large part of the journalism workforce, women are rarely in charge. Studies show:
- Fewer than 1 in 5 top media CEO roles globally are held by women.
- Only 1 in 3 Editor-in-Chief positions are filled by women.
This imbalance affects what stories get told. For example, a review of Daily Nation found that only 11% of quoted sources were women—meaning men dominate the news narrative.
Efforts to Fix the System
Thankfully, some organizations are pushing for change:
✔ AMWIK’s Reports – Exposing harassment trends and pushing for better policies.
✔ Media Council of Kenya (MCK) – Training media bosses on stopping harassment.
✔ Women in News (WIN) Program – Mentorship to help women rise in media careers.
Why Fair Reporting Matters
News shapes how society sees women. When media ignores female voices or focuses only on men, it reinforces inequality. Groups like the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) urge journalists to:
- Include more women as experts in stories.
- Cover issues like reproductive health fairly.
- Stop ignoring rural women’s voices.
What Needs to Happen Next?
- Stronger Anti-Harassment Policies – Newsrooms must enforce real consequences for abusers.
- More Women Leaders – Mentorship programs can prepare women for top roles.
- Balanced Reporting – Journalists must make sure women’s voices are heard.
Kenya’s media can—and must—do better. Equality isn’t just a goal; it’s a necessity for fair journalism.
What do you think? Should the government step in to enforce gender equality in newsrooms? Share your thoughts.
