The Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), in collaboration Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), Crawn Trust and stakeholders from the Kenya Media Sector Working Group (KMSWG), convened for a critical meeting on sexual harassment interventions. The gathering brought together over 20 media stakeholders, each sharing their experiences and insights on the pervasive issue of sexual harassment within Kenyan newsrooms.
The meeting was prompted by the release of AMWIK’s comprehensive report titled Sexual Harassment in the Kenyan Media Landscape 2024. Commissioned by AMWIK, the report provides an in-depth analysis of the prevalence and nature of sexual harassment in the media industry. The study involved 240 participants and 20 Key Informant Interviews, aiming to assess the prevalence of sexual harassment, evaluate the existing legal framework, and uncover the underlying challenges in curbing such harassment.
The findings of the study painted a disturbing picture of the media landscape in Kenya. “A staggering 60% of the respondents reported experiencing sexual harassment during their careers. These incidents ranged from unwelcome advances and requests for sexual favours to offensive behaviour and the use of sexually explicit language,” the report revealed.
This high prevalence shows that there is an urgent need for interventions to create safer work environments for media professionals.
Queenter Mbori, Executive Director of AMWIK, emphasized the organization’s commitment to addressing this issue, stating, “Sexual harassment remains a persistent obstacle to achieving a just society where the media promotes equitable development and human rights. AMWIK is dedicated to creating a safer and more respectful working environment for all media professionals.” By addressing this issue, AMWIK, with support from CRAWN TRUST and Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) has taken proactive steps to combat sexual harassment in the media sector.
The Kenya Media Sector Working Group (KMSWG) meeting aimed to assess the impact and progress of media houses’ adoption of sexual harassment policies and explore strategies for improvement.
During the meeting, stakeholders engaged in meaningful discussions about the challenges and possible solutions to sexual harassment in newsrooms. The consensus was clear: comprehensive and multifaceted approaches are necessary to tackle the issue effectively.
Among the proposed measures were the development and implementation of a model anti-harassment policy, as well as training and capacity-building initiatives for media houses.
William Oloo Janak, one of the stakeholders, highlighted the importance of collective action in addressing sexual harassment in the newsrooms saying, “We need to think about how we can partner with regulatory bodies to address these cases especially through making legal resources accessible and empowering even the police to handle the cases seriously.”
The Sexual Harassment Interventions Meeting marked a significant step towards addressing the pervasive issue of sexual harassment in the Kenyan media industry.
With AMWIK and its partners leading the charge, there is hope for a future where media professionals can work in an environment free from harassment, promoting equitable development and human rights. The commitment and collaboration of all stakeholders will be crucial in realizing this vision and ensuring that the media serves as an anchor of integrity and justice in society.
