In the Balance is a resource center for journalists, to help them make their reporting more inclusive of women’s perspectives and voices, and more representative of the world we live in by applying a gender-lens approach.

Just like a lens can help the eye see better, a “gender lens” allows us to consider the powers at play that have to do with gender in any given situation. Applied to journalism, this means taking into account how gender affects people and events at all stages of producing a news story, to ensure a fuller, more nuanced picture, and richer, more informative news where the audience feels included.

It seems like the most obvious step to take, but we all know it can be tough to find new, credible sources. Luckily, there is a growing number of databases indexing women experts. We’ve put together a list of some of those, as well as a list of helpful grassroots initiatives and organizations for you. Maybe it’ll spark some ideas, and help save you some time.

Oftentimes, research is reported on for a main finding that is deemed newsworthy at one time. But nested in reports and studies are details and bits of information that can spark an idea for a story. Want to start digging? We have a selection for you on a variety of topics to get you started exploring how gender intesects with all beats.

Many journalists all over the world have been doing this work for years. Yet, gender-sensitive journalism remains underrecognized and sometimes, even, misunderstood. To help you get a more concrete sense of what it means to apply the gender lens throughout different stages of the journalistic process, we compiled some advice from renowned reporters and editors.

Untold Stories: Experts’ POVs> View all articles

Photo by Amir Arabshahi / Unsplash

Health Systems Risk Reaching a Breaking Point: What’s Gender Got to Do with It?

Untold stories

Pre-pandemic, the World Health Organization expected a global shortage of at least 18 million health care workers by 2030. With 70% of the current global workforce made up of women, solving this crisis seems to be very much a gender issue.

Hazel Malapit

Hazel Malapit on the Gender-Climate-Food Security Nexus

Untold stories

The International Food Policy Research Institute researcher tells us about why gender equality matters for food security, the need for collecting the “right data,” and her COP28 expectations.

Designed by Freepik

Reporting on the Gender Pay Gap: Cutting Through the White Noise

Untold stories

Claudia Goldin won’t be making history with Nobel prizes every few weeks, and Equal Pay Day is just once a year. We need more thorough and continuous coverage of the gender pay gap.

> View all articles
Peer-to-Peer: Hear from experienced journalists> Access all episodes

She is a news anchor at France 24 and the host and creator of “The 51 Percent”. In a new episode of “Peer-to-Peer”, Annette Young shares her views on women’s representation in conflict-related stories.

Filed under:

Reporting at the intersection between gender, caste and disability, the 27-year-old data journalist (BehanBox, FT, IndiaSpend, Nikkei Asia…) has learned to uncover the stories that hide under statistics. In a new episode of “Peer-to-Peer”, she tells us about her data journey, and shares useful tips for those of us who aren’t data specialists.

Filed under:

Our “Peer-to-Peer” series is back! In this first episode of season 2, we talk about gender journalism and it means in 2023 with the editor of “Impact,” a newsletter at the intersection of politics and gender.

Filed under:

> Access all episodes
Gender in the News: Analyses & Examples> View all articles

Women & Peace: Four Interesting Angles as Seen in the News

In the Newsroom

 

A selection of articles looking at conflicts and peace through a gender lens.

> Access all episodes

Hot Off the Press: The Gender Data Gap

In the Newsroom

Here’s a selection of pieces that caught our attention in relation to the “gender data gap,” our focus theme in February 2023.

> Access all episodes

Pamela Morinière

Pamela Morinière on the IFJ’s Response to Sexism in Political News

In the Newsroom

The International Federation of Journalists’ gender expert tells us about the specifics of their new project “Rewriting the story: Gender, media and politics,” what sexist question a famous German politician was asked that shocked her the most, and how she sees the future of gender equality in the news.

> Access all episodes
Newsletter: The gender lens in action, one theme at a time> View all newsletters

Not to be all doom and gloom, but the next pandemic might be right around the corner, experts warn – it’s “inevitable.” We’ve heard of Disease X in the last few months, and although no clear global threat has been identified for now (despite the current worldwide cholera outbreaks), the world isn’t equipped to face another global pandemic quite yet.

It’s tough when, in the wake of an election where populism triumphs, we’re reminded how big of a role and responsibility journalism holds in what happens in society. We might avoid thinking about it on the daily or even somehow momentarily forget, but when the results of a ballot are confirmed, we have to face the facts: The news industry played a part in this outcome.

2024 is an election year in over 80 countries. Nearly half the global population has already voted or is expected to in the next eight months. Whether local, national, or international, these ballots are connected to the broader world context. While the top concerns for potential electors seem to be inflation, poverty, and social inequality, many politicians have chosen to put migration (once again) on their list of priorities when campaigning.


> View all newsletters
Data & Reports: Follow the thread> View all articles

Gender Inclusion in Media: A Selection of Insightful Reports

Data & Studies

Want to dig deeper for good data and stories about popular culture through the gender lens? Here’s a selection of reports that will get you started.

Women & Peace : Four Reports for Inspiration

Data & Studies

Want to dig deeper for good data and stories? Here’s a selection of three general reports that will get you started, as well as one exploring how gender and peace also intersect with the climate crisis.

Economy in the News: Why Is It a Man’s World?

Data & Studies

Want to dig deeper for good data and stories? Here’s are three trustworthy sources around gender in business news.


> View all articles