A study
published jointly by the European and the International Federation of Journalists (EFJ and IFJ) has shown that women in Europe make up more than a
third (42%) of journalist's unions membership and leading positions (36%).
The results of
the study, which surveyed 21 unions and journalists' associations in Europe,
shows a three per cent decrease in the number of female members and leaders
compared to the results in the last EFJ survey in 2006.
"Although the
trend for improved representation cannot be considered to be reversed our
unions must remain vigilant as the gender equality issue is far from won," said
IFJ General Secretary Beth Costa. "These
results will help us launch focused actions supporting women in union
membership and their access to leading roles".
The survey aims to assess
progress made in reducing the representation gap between women and men in
journalists' trade unions. It also examines the number of young women with youth
membership, as well as freelance and permanent staffers' membership.
It presents an overview of
union gender policies adopted by IFJ/EFJ affiliates in Europe and assesses to
what extent the financial crisis has affected women and youth journalists more
specifically than men in the profession.
"Young women
make up 53% of youth membership in journalists' unions. This mirrors the
extensive feminization of our profession", said Kerstin Klamroth, the IFJ
gender council coordinator for Europe. "The fact that very few of them access
leading roles is a concern. We should think again about the space, policies and
structures we develop for women of all ages so that unions can better address
the needs of our profession".
The EFJ recently
elected a woman as its vide-president. The IFJ will hold its congress at the
beginning of June and will decide upon its new leadership.
"The up-coming
IFJ congress will be a good opportunity to tackle gender equality within our
leadership", said Costa. "We are taking important steps to allow this to happen
by adopting a gender mainstreaming approach throughout congress. We hope that
this will encourage women to stand for elections and actively participate in
congress activities".
Results of the
study are available at: http://www.ifj.org/assets/docs/237/243/b0652ed-0d1a9f3.pdf
For more information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 17
The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 134 countries