WOMEN SEEN AND HEARD
Equality, diversity and inclusion were central themes at the ‘Women, Seen and Heard’ symposium at Queen’s University Belfast.
On Saturday, June 22, the discussion event, exploring the challenges women face in the media, broadcasting and film industry, was opened by Professor Karen McCloskey, from Queen's Gender Initiative, and Dr Kurt Taroff, Head of the School of Arts English and Languages.
’Women Seen and Heard - Equality, Diversity, and Equality in Northern Ireland’s Media and Broadcasting Industry’ was organised by Una Murphy, a lecturer in Broadcast Production at QUB and co-founder of VIEWdigital, an online platform that independently produces and publishes original social affairs journalism.
Una opened the event, in the QUB music building’s Old McMordie Hall, with a speech, reflecting on the symposium’s purpose and her motivation for planning and developing it.
She said: ‘‘This symposium is an engagement and partnership building project funded by the arts and research humanities council through Queen’s University.
“I have organised this event to address the media industry challenges of successful implementation of equality, diversity and inclusion policies for women practitioners.
“My own experience from practice is that women in the media face structural obstacles due to caring responsibilities, and that many similar leadership roles are still dominated by men.’’
She added: ‘‘The symposium shows lived experience of working in the media and broadcasting industry will bring us to understand how do you move forward to ensure that women are seen and heard.’’
The conference, which was hosted by journalist and broadcaster Amanda Ferguson, was made up of three speakers and three panel discussions.
The first panel chaired by BBC journalist Elaine McGee featured a group of inspiring women including film makers Alison Millar and Margo Harkin, and journalists Allison Morris and Mandy McAuley.
They addressed various challenges and obstacles which women face in the media and journalism industry.
The main message of the discussion focused on the importance of women and young girls having a strong sense of self-belief and tuning out external noise.
“Listen to yourself.”
The aims and the objectives of the symposium are important as they help to build an understanding of the structural barriers faced by women in the industry and to further identify solutions to make the industry more equal, diverse and inclusive.
WRDA‘s Women’s Sector Lobbyist Elaine Crory, presented a recent report on Gender Equality in Northern Ireland. She spoke about the issue of gender inequality and further highlighted how sexual violence has become entreched in the media.
Elaine described women’s economic inequality as an ‘undeniable’ trend.
‘‘Violence against women and girls, and that continues to worsen. In 2003, there were 33,071 recorded domestic abuse incidents. That's an increase in the previous year. Every year is an increase of the previous year.’’
She added: "The only possible exception was a brief drop in sexual violence in 2020," she explained. This decrease was influenced by the events of COVID-19; however, once the lockdown ended, the figures began to rise again.
‘‘Statistics people are actually reporting in, In 2022-2023 because they measured strangely, there are eight domestic abuse related homicides in Northern Ireland. In the time since I produced this report in April (2024), two more women will be murdered in their own homes.’’
Elaine concluded her speech by emphasising the need for government recognition of gender inequality as a significant issue.
‘‘We need our government to acknowledge that gender inequality is a problem.’’
Throughout the event, Goal 5 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to "Achieve Gender Parity and Empower all Girls and Women," was frequently mentioned and referenced.
This goal seeks to end all forms of discrimination against women and young girls, including sexual violence in both public and private spaces.
Achieving this goal is crucial for providing women with opportunities to assume leadership positions and ensuring fair representation.
The audience heard from Dr Elspeth Vischer, a filmmaker and researcher, with a PhD from QUB, specialising in documentary style.
She is the creator and director of ‘‘Let Us Be Seen’’ which explores grassroots feminism in Belfast, featuring activists, educators and artists.
The documentary focuses on the lawmark changes in the law, in 2019, which discriminalised abortion and legalised same-sex marriage.
The second panel, chaired by Amanda Verlaque, focused on ongoing efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
It featured Belfast Feminist Film School co-foudners Oonagh Parish and Jolene Mairs Dyer, HaZimation cofounder Paula Crickard, and Eimhear O’Neill, head of development at Fine Point Films.
Following this, writer and poet Nani Jola shared her experiences as a Black woman from South Africa working and living in Northern Ireland, and her thoughts on colonialism, community and inclusion.
The third panel, chaired by Belfast Telegraph Journalist Niamh Campbell, and featuring author Amelia Kai, filmmaker Lia Campbell, and Irish News reporter Flavia Gouveia, examined the challenges faced by young women in the industry.
'Women Seen and Heard' effectively addressed gender inequality, diversity, and inclusion in the media industry. Through presentations and discussions, the event highlighted the need to empower women and tackle challenges.
Concluding with a Q&A session and networking lunch, the symposium focused on emphasising to continue advocacy for a better and safer media landscape for women and young girls.
It was a fantastic day. As a soon to be graduate with my MA Journalism Degree, I find listening to experienced colleagues very crucial and important.
I am looking forward to Belfast’s next media industry event.
