AIJC President Therese San Diego Torres was among the speakers and rapporteurs at the Expert Consultation on Women and the Media, held at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, in January 2025.

 

Marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the meeting prompted participants to reflect on the progress and challenges women in media have experienced over the past three decades. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women, established critical global commitments to advance gender equality, with Chapter J specifically addressing issues related to “Women and the Media.” It emphasized the need for women’s equal participation in the media and the removal of barriers that perpetuate gender stereotypes.

 

For the consultation, UNESCO brought together a diverse group of individuals from various countries and sectors, including journalism, media, academia, and civil society. Ms. Torres was invited by UNESCO to represent the Philippines, alongside representatives from Afghanistan, Argentina, Colombia, El Salvador, France, India, Iraq, Ireland, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Palestine, Tanzania, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

 

Recommendations from the meeting will be documented by UNESCO and used to inform future initiatives aimed at advancing gender equality in the media.

 

As an organization, AIJC is committed to promoting the inclusion and amplification of voices of all genders in media and communication.

 

Photos from UNESCO and AIJC