Women Journalists and Their Contribution to the Journalism Profession in Kenya : the Case of Veteran Women Journalists in Nairobi

Abstract

Women have been confronted by a legacy of structures of inequality, reinforced by misperception that retards the pace of their own personal development (Konare, 2003). This is largely influenced by traditional notions of patriarchy and male dominapce that define the domestic and public sphere spaces including professional choices (Khamala, 2007). This study sought to assess women journalists and their contribution to the journalism profession in Kenya; focussing on the case of veteran women journalists in Nairobi. Specifically, the study examined the factors influencing their choice of journalism as a career, constraints encountered by women practicing journalism, their contribution to journalism as a profession and their influence in the practice of women in journalism profession. The study was guided by the Liberal feminism theory in analysing the contribution of women in journalism and Albert Bandura's social learning theory. Snowballing was employed to sample the study informants while data was collected through in-depth interviews, case narrative and key informant interviews.

Data was analysed thematically and a descriptive approach was involved by use of direct quotations. Ethical clearance for this study was sought from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SoJMC) and the Ministry of Higher Education through the National Council for Science and Technology before embarking on fieldwork. The study findings reveal that women journalists were greatly inspired into practicing journalism by the veteran female journalists whom they lived to admire at their prime years of career choice. However, those practicing the profession cannot recall the names of these veteran women journalists who were great motivating factors into joining the profession. The study therefore recommends the need to document the contribution of veteran women journalists as a preserve of their knowledge for upcoming professions in journalism field.

The study also reveal that most women journalists cover human interest stories leaving areas such as politics, business, sports and investigative sections largely male dominated. Negative perception from male journalists on the female gender as a weaker sex is a hindrance to many women journalists from rising to top managerial positions. The study concurs with the (Gallagher 1995) report on gender inequality which remains a challenge in the twenty first century among women journalists. The study further reveals that most women journalists continue to suffer sexual harassment in silence and they continue to face socio -cultural, political and economic challenges such as poor pay making them more vulnerable in the profession compared to their male counterparts. Furthermore, women journalists face more challenges compared to male counterparts and managing family and work responsibilities is a tougher call.

The study however reveals that there is an increased number of female journalists pursuing journalism and their greatest contribution is covering human interest stories which reveals realities in the society and which bring about accountability among actors involved. Findings indicate that veteran women journalists have played a crucial role in affirmative action and women empowerment that saw the easy entry of women journalists in the profession. However, there has been little documentation on their achievement and their contribution to the society. The study concludes that veteran women journalists have served as role models and there is need to document their experiences, contribution and lessons learnt as a preserve of knowledge for young upcoming journalism professionals. Institutions like AMWIK are crucial for documentation of lessons learnt. Due to vulnerabilities of women journalist, media institutions such as Kenya Union of Journalists and the Media Council of Kenya with media owners should design policies friendly to women journalists to support women journalists willing to pursue marriage and the profession as welL