Research carried out by the Feminoteka Foundation and the Gazeta Wyborcza daily proved a dramatic and disproportionate male domination in the media. While 24% of Sejm (lower house of the Polish parliament) members are female, female political presence in the media reaches 11%. Only 19% of all media experts are female, albeit the share of university graduates is higher among women than men – 18.5% and 12.3%, respectively. Those in charge of inviting guests to join publicity programmes frequently declare a shortage of women in many areas as a reason why men are invited more often.
The project purpose was to overcome male monopoly and strengthen female presence in public debate.
Activities allowed the expansion and promotion of www.ekspertki.org, a database of female experts in a number of areas. Journalists, publishers, and debate organisers can use it to find experts in a given area, contact details included. Experts find the site useful as a key platform of developing a strong position in respective fields, and taking their deserved place among commentators in the media and at conferences. The database kicked off with an international conference in Warsaw, and was promoted in a series of 12 local meetings in smaller Polish towns. Journalists and media employees attended a workshop teaching more discerning work in terms of gender equality in articles or programmes authored. A social campaign was launched, comprising the production of a series of videos featuring project ambassadors speaking out to justify the necessity of preventing the exclusion of women from public debate.
Project beneficiaries included 420 women registered in the database and 135 media representatives using database resources. The project benefitted 130 conference participants and around 1,500 local meeting attendants.
Partner organisations were responsible for topical and promotional project support. The Norwegian partner organisation delivered one workshop as part of the project kickoff conference.