The Africa Leadership Institute (ALADI) has partnered with the EJS Centre to promote gender-sensitive reporting and improve how women are represented in African media.
Through the #SeeHerHearHerCoverHer initiative, the collaboration tackles the persistent underrepresentation and misrepresentation of women, with research showing that 59% of coverage undermines or overlooks their competence, underscoring the need for change.
At the heart of the initiative is a commitment to confronting systemic bias in media spaces. Led by ALADI CEO and journalist Julie Gichuru, the program convened leading journalists, editors, and digital storytellers for a retreat at Sleeping Warrior Camp. There, participants openly examined issues such as stereotyping, structural hostility, and the subtle ways women’s identities and contributions are often erased or undermined.
The initiative’s overarching goal, referred to as Gap Zero, is to eliminate the gender gap in representation, ensuring that women in leadership are accurately and fairly covered. One major concern it seeks to address is the stark imbalance in expert voices, with women currently making up only about 10% of those quoted in African news.
More than a discussion, #SeeHerHearHerCoverHer is designed as an accountability movement. It aims to establish practical frameworks that guide journalists and media professionals toward more inclusive, balanced storytelling.
This aligns with the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Centre for Women and Development (EJS Centre). broader mission, particularly through its Amujae Initiative, to move beyond token representation and toward genuine recognition of women’s leadership and impact across Africa.
During the retreat, participants not only reflected on past challenges but also committed to future action. Key takeaways included the importance of showing up confidently, building supportive networks, and pursuing progress strategically despite systemic barriers.
With these commitments, the initiative has launched a focused 90-day journey toward achieving meaningful change in media narratives.
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