On June 26th, the Swedish Dialogue Institute for the Middle East and North Africa hosted an online meeting on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). The discussions focused on the role of media in addressing issues related to women, peace, and security.
Key issues raised included the crucial role of media outlets in raising awareness about issues related to women, peace, and security, the importance of portraying women as agents of change (not only as victims), and the need to use clear and relevant language. The necessity for smart messaging to inspire other actors to adopt WPS principles was underlined. Participants also reminded of the need to support protection of peace and women’s organizations and activists on social media. Increasing the visibility in the media, of the important role women play in society and in conflict settings, can help inspire younger generations and enhance their representation. Furthermore, the importance of training for hostile media environments was also highlighted, with a call for donor to prioritize funding for media training.
