The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has today called on media professionals and unions activists to join the fight against gender discrimination by releasing a booklet on gender equality.

"One of the greatest challenges facing journalists, both men and women, is to resist the culture of casual stereotype in our everyday work, " said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White. "It takes argument, debate, training and practical commitment to confront discrimination wherever it lurks".

The IFJ booklet sets out the current status of women media professionals, the level and areas of inequality and measures that are used to address them.  It examines media performance in portrayal of women and reinforcing or breaking down existing stereotypes. It also defines the role unions, professional organisations and union activists can play in promoting equality and ensuring women are properly represented in their decision making bodies.

"This booklet gives added argument and dynamism to a campaign that should be taken up in every newsroom, every media house and every union meeting", White said. "Journalism has its roots in the fight for decency, progress and rights for all. It will honour its tradition and reinvigorate the profession when the ideas, guidelines and advice in these pages are put into practice".

The booklet is supported by UNESCO and LO.TCO.

 Download the booklet here

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For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2207

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide