Kenyan journalists report the highest level of harassment in the newsroom, a global media study finds. For VOA, Victoria Amunga has more from Nairobi.
Gathoni Kuria’s negative experience with a supervisor at a Kenyan media outlet derailed her plans for a career in journalism.
Gathoni Kuria, Journalist:
“I went to pitch an idea to him, and he was just looking at my hips intentionally, very intentionally. So, I am speaking to him but he’s just looking at my hips then going up my breast and not looking at my face.”
Kuria worked at the same media house for two years, trying to launch her career in print and broadcast. But she says rejecting sexual advances from a supervisor changed that trajectory. Her harasser wasn’t interested in her professional growth.
Gathoni Kuria, Journalist:
“He did not really care whether I published or not. He did not even sweat or struggle to even tell me to go do a certain story unless I came up with an idea and that idea would be merged with someone else’s. So, you see I became almost like just a trophy seated at the desk.”
Kuria’s former supervisor told VOA her claims are “ridiculous” and suggested she report them to the police.
Kuria’s case isn’t isolated. Around 65% of female journalists surveyed in Kenya say they face physical or verbal harassment.
That figure puts Kenya top of a list of 20 countries included in a study by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers, or WAN-IFRA's Women in News organization and City, University of London. The study also says, in about 80% of cases, women do not report the incidents.
One way to curb the problem is to highlight it, say local advocates.
Dinnah Ondari, Media Council of Kenya:
“When you give that environment and safe space for people to talk about sexual harassment, the person who wants to hide in the secrecy of it to harass their victim, of course, they will feel exposed.”
It can be hard to secure justice too. Harassers risk being fired but they still find work elsewhere. So, the Association of Media Women in Kenya is creating a special committee to help bring suspected attackers to court.
Judy Kaberia, Association of Media Women in Kenya:
“There is a case, we’ve had an intern raped at gun point in Kisumu, but if you look at how that case was handled the media house sat, listened to the case found the guy guilty and fired him. After he was fired, he went to another media house. So, the circle continues. There is no redress, there is no punishment, there is no justice for the victim.”
Kuria for now has abandoned her aspirations to be a journalist. But media advocates hope the Women in News study will shine a light on sexual harassment in the newsrooms and offer support for reporters like Kuria.
Originally published at - www.voanews.com/a/kenyan-jour...
» Subscribe to VOA News: bit.ly/3KIPysi
» Watch more VOA News video: / voanews
Voice of America (VOA) is the largest U.S. international broadcaster, providing news and information in more than 40 languages to an estimated weekly audience of 236.8 million people. VOA produces content for digital, television, and radio platforms. It is easily accessed via your mobile phone and on social media. It is also distributed by satellite, cable, FM and MW, and is carried on a network of approximately 3,000 affiliate stations.
Since its creation in 1942, Voice of America has been committed to providing comprehensive coverage of the news and telling audiences the truth. Through World War II, the Cold War, the fight against global terrorism, and the struggle for freedom around the globe today, VOA exemplifies the principles of a free press.
Connect with VOA News:
» VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.voanews.com/
» LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: / voiceofamerica
» FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: / voanews
» FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: / voanews