4.4. Gender mainstreaming is promoted in terms of equal participation of both sexes in the production process. ANALYSIS: The number of women working in the print media is insignificant. At the Zimbabwe Independent, for example, there is only one woman in the production team of about 12. In the entire history of the state print media only two women have ever reached the top as editor-in-chief. ZBC has a significant number of women in decision making positions, among them six executive producers. The operating environment is not conducive for gender mainstreaming, with men regularly stereotyping and being hostile to women. Media houses are described as being notorious for sexual harassment of women. It has been reported that “carpet interviews” happen with disturbing frequency, meaning that some women get a job and survive in the media houses only in exchange for sexual favours. Sexual harassment is also taking place at media tertiary institutions. Women are said to be systematically excluded from prestigious areas such as business and financial reporting and there is a lack of assistance in newsrooms for new female journalists eager to work in this field. All this forces women to seek a better working environment outside the newsrooms. A large number of experienced female journalists leave the print media at mid career level and move on to work in the corporate or NGO sector. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 4.5. 2, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 2 2.2 (2006 = 1.4) Gender mainstreaming is reflected in the editorial content. ANALYSIS: The newspapers are very male dominated. Stories on women are not fair and often not accurate. Women’s voices are scarce or non-existent in sports, economic and business stories. They are often only quoted on social issues – water, sanitation, or health. Male journalists claim that the dearth of women’s voices on the perceived ‘real issues’ is due to the fact that female professionals or experts are not willing to comment when they are approached. A large number of male politicians and professionals are media savvy and their female counterparts have not been empowered with certain skills so they are often castigated for not having the ability to deal effectively with the media. Zimbabwean society is patriarchal and the media content reflects the power relations in society. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: So This Is Democracy? 2008 2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1.7 (2006 = 1.2) -277- Media Institute of Southern Africa