Speaker Kuugongelwa-Amadhila calls for fairer portrayal of women in media

Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has called on media institutions to improve the way women, particularly those in leadership positions, are portrayed in the news. Speaking at the 35th anniversary of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in Windhoek on Friday, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said media coverage often places disproportionate emphasis on controversy, personal conduct and criticism involving women while giving less attention to their professional achievements and contributions to society. She warned that such reporting patterns have consequences beyond individual reputations.

“The effect of this imbalance is not neutral. It erodes public confidence in women leaders, and it erodes the confidence of those women themselves,” she said. The speaker said persistent negative portrayals discourage women from participating in public life.