Full Breakdown
Declining Media Coverage of Violence Against Women Amidst Rising Global Incidents
4/17/2026, 12:40:25 PM
Overview of the Media Landscape
Recent research indicates a significant decline in media coverage of violence against women and girls, despite a troubling rise in such incidents globally. An analysis of 1.14 billion online stories published from 2017 to 2025 revealed that references to misogynistic abuse fell to a mere 1.3% of all global news in 2025, down from a peak of 2.2% during the #MeToo movement in 2018. This decline is particularly stark in regions like Africa, where coverage dropped to a nine-year low of 1.18% in 2024. Prof. Julie Posetti from the Centre for Journalism and Democracy expressed concern over this trend, highlighting a failure by the press to adequately address the scale of the problem.
The Global Context of Violence Against Women
The prevalence of violence against women remains alarmingly high, with one in nine women experiencing violence from men in the past year and one in three facing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. The rise of digital platforms has further exacerbated the situation, with up to 60% of women globally reporting experiences of online gender-based violence. The report also noted a troubling trend in media narratives, where men's perspectives dominate coverage, with 1.5 men quoted for every woman in stories about misogyny.
Misrepresentation in Media
The research identified a significant gap in the representation of women's voices in media coverage of violence. Sarah Macharia from the Global Media Monitoring Project noted that only 17% of experts quoted in stories about gender-based violence were women. Furthermore, while coverage of misogyny-related terms declined, references to "gender ideology," a term often used by anti-gender equality movements, surged by 42 times between 2020 and 2025, largely driven by U.S. media.
The Situation in Sudan
Amidst this global backdrop, the situation in Sudan has become particularly dire. A report by UN Women highlighted that sexual violence against women and girls has quadrupled since the onset of the civil war in April 2023. The conflict, primarily between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, has led to widespread displacement and humanitarian crises, with over 4.3 million women and girls internally displaced. The report indicated that sexual violence has become a systematic tool of warfare, with two-thirds of women frontline responders reporting a significant increase in such incidents.
Humanitarian Response and Challenges
Women-led organizations are playing a crucial role in providing support to survivors, reaching nearly 20 million people in need. However, these organizations face severe operational challenges, including funding shortages and threats to their safety, with one in five frontline women workers reporting intimidation.
Official Statements and Recommendations
The report calls for a transformative approach to media coverage, advocating for the inclusion of female journalists and survivors in storytelling. It emphasizes the need for media to address the root causes of violence against women, including gender inequality and patriarchal norms. Posetti remarked on the necessity for the mainstream press to shift its discourse and norms to effect meaningful change.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It is shocking, particularly considering the scale of the problem and the ways in which violence against women and misogyny have been weaponised by authoritarian actors as part of the rollback of rights,” — Prof. Julie Posetti, Centre for Journalism and Democracy
- “Ending this war means ending the impunity that sustains it,” — Anna Mutavati, UN Women’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa
Conclusion
The decline in media coverage of violence against women, juxtaposed with the rising incidents globally, underscores a critical gap in public awareness and response. Addressing this issue requires a concerted effort from media organizations to prioritize women's voices and narratives, particularly in conflict zones like Sudan, where the stakes are alarmingly high.
