Study Finds Women Represent Only 26% of News Subjects and Sources

Study Finds Women Represent Only 26% of News Subjects and Sources
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A new global media monitoring study has found that women account for just 26% of people featured or cited in news stories, highlighting persistent gender gaps in media representation. The report, conducted by the World Association for Christian Communication with support from UN Women’s Advocacy, Alliance Building and Transformative Feminist Action program, revealed that despite making up half of the world’s population, women remain underrepresented in media content.

According to UN Women, the figure has barely shifted over the past 15 years, increasing by only nine percentage points in three decades. The study also noted that gender-based violence receives minimal coverage, appearing in fewer than two out of every 100 stories, despite its global impact. Similarly, only 2% of stories actively challenge gender stereotypes, suggesting that media outlets continue to reinforce existing biases rather than dismantle them.

UN Women Deputy Executive Director Kirsi Madi warned that democracy is “incomplete” without women’s voices, calling for a fundamental rethink of how media can promote equality. The report did, however, highlight some progress. Women now make up 41% of reporters in traditional news formats, compared to 28% in 1995. Stories authored by female journalists were also found to include women more often than those written by men.