Eliminating gender stereotypes in the media

Motion for a resolution | Doc. 15975 | 17 April 2024

Signatories:

Ms Yevheniia KRAVCHUK, Ukraine, ALDE ; Ms Boriana ÅBERG, Sweden, EPP/CD ; Mr Pavlo BAKUNETS, Ukraine, EC/DA ; Mr Taras BATENKO, Ukraine, NR ; Ms Petra BAYR, Austria, SOC ; Ms Larysa BILOZIR, Ukraine, ALDE ; Mr François BONNEAU, France, ALDE ; Mr Bertrand BOUYX, France, ALDE ; Mr Iulian BULAI, Romania, ALDE ; Ms Mireille CLAPOT, France, ALDE ; Mr Randolph DE BATTISTA, Malta, SOC ; Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER, Austria, EPP/CD ; Mr Constantinos EFSTATHIOU, Cyprus, SOC ; Lord George FOULKES, United Kingdom, SOC ; Ms Béatrice FRESKO-ROLFO, Monaco, ALDE ; Mr Peter FRICK, Liechtenstein, ALDE ; Ms Sona GHAZARYAN , Armenia, ALDE ; Ms Etilda GJONAJ, Albania, SOC ; Ms Valentina GRIPPO, Italy, ALDE ; Ms Linda Hofstad HELLELAND, Norway, EPP/CD ; Ms Franziska HOOP, Liechtenstein, ALDE ; Mr Claude KERN, France, ALDE ; Ms Iryna KONSTANKEVYCH, Ukraine, EC/DA ; Mr Christophe LACROIX, Belgium, SOC ; Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO, Spain, SOC ; Ms Mariia MEZENTSEVA, Ukraine, EPP/CD ; Ms Olena MOSHENETS, Ukraine, ALDE ; Mr Dmytro NATALUKHA, Ukraine, EC/DA ; Ms Denisa Elena NEAGU, Romania, ALDE ; Ms Wanda NOWICKA, Poland, SOC ; Ms Fiona O'LOUGHLIN, Ireland, ALDE ; Ms Yuliia OVCHYNNYKOVA, Ukraine, ALDE ; Mr Georgios STAMATIS, Greece, EPP/CD ; Mr Rostyslav TISTYK, Ukraine, EC/DA ; Ms Lesia VASYLENKO, Ukraine, ALDE

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

Discriminatory gender stereotypes and gender roles are deeply entrenched in the media and social networks, not only reinforcing detrimental social norms, but also giving rise to hate speech and gender-based discrimination. This, in turn, deepens gender inequality and impedes progress towards achieving gender equality in general.

Media in all its forms (including written and online press, advertising, social networks and fiction production) has an omnipresent and significant impact on shaping and changing societies. Despite efforts on the part of some stakeholders, media’s persisting reproduction of gender stereotypes and sexist representations affect women and men and may violate their human rights.

Moreover, gender stereotypes in the media directly affect the equal participation of men and women in political and other areas of public life. By portraying men as dominant and women as submissive, these stereotypes limit women's ability to fully participate in decision making and assume leadership roles.

Parliamentary Assembly Resolution 1751 (2010) “Combating sexist stereotypes in the media” refers to the disastrous impact that sexist stereotypes in the media can have on public opinion, as they “perpetuate a simplistic, immutable and caricatured image of women and men, legitimising everyday sexism and discriminatory practices”. The recommendations in this text should now be reviewed, especially in the light of the exponential development of social media.

It is time for the Assembly to take further action to combat these harmful phenomena in the media and social networks. By addressing the root causes of gender inequality and promoting positive representations of men and women, we can create a more inclusive and just society. To achieve sustainable results, it is important to promote the development of media self-regulation institutions, which could devise codes of ethics and professional standards. A media environment that promotes diversity, inclusiveness and gender equality would contribute to respect and empowerment for all.