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

Laura Aumeer, Europe-Asia department director at Conciliation Resources (© Teofil Rewers)

Laura Aumeer: “If We Don’t Include Women, We Miss Out on Half the Expertise in the World”

Untold stories

The Europe-Asia department director at Conciliation Resources says women play an essential, but often under-recognized, role in peacebuilding. She gets into the why and the how, and shares some resources and tips for sharper, more inclusive conflict-related stories.

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.

Women marching the streets of Washington D.C., United States in October 2021 (Gayatri Malhotra / Unsplash)

What does International Women’s Day mean in 2023?

Untold stories

Three organizations that work daily to achieve gender equality (Equal Measures 2030, Equimundo and Women in Global Health) tell us what March 8 means to them.

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

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.

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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.

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The co-author of “The Chilling: A Global Study On Online Violence Against Women Journalists” chats with us about the research behind the study and what it all means for journalists and journalism.

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

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.

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Hot Off the Press: Women & Climate Edition

In the Newsroom

Here’s a selection of pieces that caught our attention in relation to “women and climate,” our focus theme in November 2022.

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Miriam Wells

Why Impact Should Be at the Heart of the Newsroom

In the Newsroom

Impact editor Miriam Wells has contributed to shifting the newsroom culture at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism to embed impact at every stage of the editorial process. She explains how strategizing for impact is a game-changer, and shares some tips.

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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.


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Data & Reports: Follow the thread> View all articles

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.

What Is the Gender Data Gap, and Why Does it Matter?

Data & Studies

There’s a lack of information about how half of the population experiences the world. Being aware of what can’t be seen (at first) is important to reflect the world more accurately in the news.

(Source: The Global Media Monitoring Project)

Business and Finance are the Least Inclusive Sections in the News

Data & Studies

Women are underrepresented in the news, especially in economy-related stories. Here are the big picture numbers you need.


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