Leadership, gender and the Arab media: a perception study of female journalists in Egypt

ABSTRACT

This article examines the factors contributing to the under-representation of women leaders in the Egyptian media. Whilst a plethora of research exist on women in the Arab media in general, very few have so far examined the extent of women’s representation in top media management positions particularly in Egypt. Based on empirical insights from 40 key informant interviews, this article finds that in their quest to become top media managers, Egyptian women journalists encounter a two-dimensional uphill battle—institutional and social discrimination. Institutional discrimination is evident in the absence of a legal and organizational environment to encourage women leadership. This includes a notable wage gap, gendered work relations, and difficulty maintaining a work–life balance. Social discrimination is practised against women journalists outside newsrooms, more specifically within their home environments, where they have to battle patriarchal social norms.

KEYWORDS:

• Egypt
• gender
• leadership
• Arab
• women
• media

Acknowledgments

I extend my sincerest gratitude to the two anonymous reviewers for their generous comments on earlier drafts of this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. The establishment of Al-Jazeera in 1996 and its subsequent reporting of the post-September 11 2001, US-led war on terror, was a major turning point in the growth trajectory of the Arab media.

2. Heya is the Arabic word for “she.” The station is now called Arab Woman TV (AWTV). See www.arabwomantv.com.

3. For example, in a recent casting ad posted at http://arabwomantv.com/Careers.htm, AWTV first asks “You have the look of a model and you like cooking at the same time?” before asking “Are you capable of presenting a TV program?”

4. Article 100 states: “Any person who transgresses a journalist during or because of his work shall be punished by imprisonment and a fine of not less than LE 10,000 and not more than LE 20,000 or one of these penalties.”

5. “Mozza” is a derogatory term which means “beautiful woman” in Arabic.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Charles Wharton Kaye-Essien

Charles Wharton Kaye-Essien is an assistant professor and MPA programme director at the Department of Public Policy and Administration, American University in Cairo. His current research focuses on urban policy, organizational behaviour, and multilevel governance. E-mail: [email protected].

Mai Ismail

Mai Ismail is a second-year MPA student at AUC. She is also a journalist by profession. E-mail: [email protected].