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1.INTRODUCTION
Womens day is supposed to be the biggest and important day for every woman in South
Africa and it is celebrated on the 9
th
of August. It has been found that many women in South
Africa have highly suffered from oppression in which it stills happens even now. Media
monitoring Africa has decided to analyze media coverage of women in order to know and
discuss issues affecting women in the country. Even though the media coverage was not
urgent, certain topics were raised by the media which include sexual violence, gender
stereotypes, Gender Equity Bill, government progress in protecting women, and the
underrepresentation of women in the corporate world. This essay will be discussing these
issues in detail below.
2. GENDER ISSUES
2.1 Gender Stereotypes
The issue here is that men believe that it is their role to own or continue to have power over
women because they are considered head of families which led them deny the fact that a
woman can rule or hold the same position as theirs. This makes them feel disrespected which
is quite a challenge for many women to face (Banjac 2010:5).
2.2 Sexual Violence and Physical Abuse
Sexual violence is a crime in our country and womens are encouraged to know their rights
and that they shouldnt be afraid to report it. Solutions are provided on how to fight this issue
and help the victims overcome this trauma (Banjac 2010:7).
2.3 Criticism of Governments Failure to Protect Women
Womens in government and parliament have to learn to respect and protect the right of other
women. The government has to stop discrimination against women and must offer equal
opportunities to everyone especially women and children (Banjac 2010:11).
2.4 The Gender Equality Bill
The department for women, children and people with disabilities govern the wellbeing and
rights of women, children and people with disabilities. The department has to implement laws
that benefits and increase protection for those it represent (Banjac 2010:13).
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2.5 Underrepresentation of Women in Private Sector
Lack of education seems to be the main problem why women are underrepresented in the
employment sector, meaning that girls need to be taught at a young age in order to be
recognized in the corporate world in the future (Banjac 2010:14).
3. Effects Debate Theory
Argument1 Media content has limited impact on audiences because people know it isnt true
Argument2- Media content has limited impact on audiences because it is play or just
entertainment
Argument3-Media holds a mirror to society and reflects our world as it is
Argument4- Media reinforces preexisting values and beliefs
Argument5- Media holds the unimportant things in our lives such as fads and fashion
Micro-versus Macro view level- The micro-level is that televised violence has little impact
and the macro-level is that televised violence has a great impact (Baran 2012:358).
Administrative Versus Critical Research- Administrative is concerned with direct causes and
effects, and the critical looks at larger, possibly significant culturalquestions.
Transmissional Versus Ritual Perspective- Transmissional sees media as senders of
information and ritual views media as central to the maintainance of society(Baran2012:359).
4. Media Coverage of Gender Issues and the Possible Effects of Media
In terms of gender stereotypes it think media holds preexisting values and beliefs because
culturally people still believe that men are the ones who holds the power. Media holds a
mirror to society and reflects our world as is it, meaning that our lives depend on the media.
According to the issue of sexual violence it may sometimes be hard for audiences to accept
that what is said on the media is true because they still believe that women are still
disrespected and offended even though protocols are applied (Baran 2012 & Banjac 2010).
5. CONLUSION
Media monitoring Africa has shown some sense of gender fatigue in the coverage of women.
Certain issues affecting woman in this country has to be discussed and addressed further.
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BIBLOGRAGHY
Baran, S.J. (2012). Introduction to mass communication: Media Literacy and Culture. (7
th

ed.). New York: McGraw Hill
Banjac, S. (2010). Gender fatigue in Media Coverage of Women: Media Monitoring Africa



















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