The report looks at various strategies for a gender-equal media organisation such as workplace data and staff feedback to diagnose issues, effective workplace policies to support equal opportunity, and creating a positive workplace culture through flexibility, leadership and behaviours to retain talent.
Public service broadcasters are leading the way in building gender-balanced workplaces and providing strong role models for women in media.
EBU Members employ over 110,000 women between them, 45% of the total public service media (PSM) workforce and 5% more than the rest of the EU audiovisual sector.
PSM organisations have a special responsibility to accurately reflect the experiences of their audiences. Many have made gender equality a top priority which had led to culture change and consequent benefits such as increased innovation, creativity and productivity through the establishment of diverse teams.
The new report, All Things Being Equal, has been produced by public service media for public service media and aims to share best practice from across the industry.
Drawing on case studies from throughout Europe, the report provides practical guidelines based on members’ own experience in areas such as equal opportunities, equal pay, work/life balance and protection from sexual harassment and discrimination.
The report explores the strategies that underpin a gender-equal media organization such as workplace data and staff feedback to diagnose the issues, effective workplace policy to support equality of opportunity, and enabling a positive workplace culture through flexibility, leadership and behaviours to retain talent.
Engaging men in the conversation alongside women and securing their equal participation is vital to success. It is clear from the results of the work already taking place at EBU Members’ organizations that there are significant cultural benefits to be gained for everyone in the workforce. This includes significant creative gains.
The report was commissioned by the EBU’s Executive Board, under the leadership of BBC Director General Tony Hall. He said: “Gender equality is a big priority for us – individually and collectively. We exist to reflect and represent the communities we serve. It is a vital part of our creative mission to explore a diversity of voices, perspectives and stories – on screen and on air, but also within our teams and our boardrooms.”
The EBU Gender Equality Steering Group was chaired by first Deputy Director of Georgia Public Broadcasting Tinatin Berdzenishvili. She added: “As the public broadcaster, we should never forget history and the power we have to shape society. I hope this report will inspire others to pursue gender equality, dismantle the stereotypes affecting women and fully unleash the potential in their organizations by building cultures that are inclusive and embrace new and fresh perspectives.”
EBU Director General Noel Curran remarked: “As a Union we exist to learn and grow together. If we can harness just some of the energy and creativity in this report, I believe we will soon close the gender gap and ensure our workforce is truly as diverse at the society it serves.”
The report was compiled by the EBU’s Gender Equality Steering Group comprising 11 different EBU Members.
