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Description
The key issues addressed are non-recognition of the harmfulness of sexism, mild sanctions, unclear and insufficient mechanisms, normalization and acceptance of sexism in the media and the advertising industry, and its rare and sporadic reporting. For 5 years now, CGI has been monitoring and publishing examples of sexism on FB and IG pages and reporting them to competent institutions. In these ways, it successfully influenced the removal of some of the most sexist phenomena in the media and informed them and the public on the legal basis for banning the reproduction of sexism and its harmfulness. In order to increase the reach and influence in their removal from national and local media and to raise public awareness, it is necessary to increase the capacity for its monitoring, publication, better reporting and increase the activities of sensitizing citizens. To achieve this, it is necessary to increase the number of applications by transferring CGI‘s knowledge to CSOs motivated to protect women''s human rights. It is also necessary to improve and upgrade CGI''s model of monitoring, publication and reporting in order to have more relevant and systematic data on the basis of which changes and stricter sanctions will be advocated. In order to increase the elimination of sexism, it is also necessary to build cooperation and mutual understanding of the roles and responsibilities of institutions and CSOs in order to increase the efficiency of the applications themselves. By carrying out all the above activities and public campaigns, we will influence the development of overall awareness of the inadmissibility of the reproduction of sexism in the media and advertising industry and its harmfulness to create a safe, inclusive and supportive society for women. The Croatian Journalists'' Associationa and Icelandic Women''s Rights Association contribute to the project with capacity building and close cooperation.
Summary of project results
The project "Our Daily Sexism" aimed to tackle several critical issues related to sexism in media and advertising, as well as the lack of effective collaboration between civil society organizations (CSOs) and relevant institutions for monitoring and reporting sexism. The primary goal was to enhance the protection of women''s human rights by reducing the occurrence of sexism.
One major issue addressed was the general lack of awareness about sexism and its harmful effects. The project sought to increase public understanding of how sexism in media and advertising undermines gender equality and contributes to gender-based violence. Through educational initiatives, public campaigns, and advocacy efforts, the project aimed to promote recognition and understanding of sexism as a serious issue.
Another challenge the project focused on was the inadequacy of existing mechanisms for monitoring and addressing sexism. The project worked on improving these mechanisms by developing a model for combating sexism in collaboration with relevant institutions and informal networks of CSOs. Although the procedures for reporting sexism could not be changed, the project facilitated better communication with institutions, leading to more informed and effective reporting.
The project also addressed the normalization and acceptance of sexism. By using social media posts, advocacy actions, guidebooks, and policy recommendations, the project aimed to shift public perceptions and foster a more sensitive and non-tolerant attitude toward sexism.
Finally, the project aimed to increase the number of reported cases of sexism. It worked on enhancing the capacity of CSOs to identify, report, and track sexism, and built stronger collaboration between CSOs and institutions for a more efficient reporting process. As a result, 1,546 articles that sexually objectify women were reported, along with 15 previously reported sexist articles, collected by an informal network dedicated to combating sexism in media and advertising.
The project made significant strides in tackling sexism through a range of activities aimed at educating civil society organizations (CSOs), fostering collaboration, advocating for policy changes, and raising public awareness.
In its initial phase, the project focused on enhancing the expertise of CSOs to address sexism effectively. This began with a detailed needs assessment to pinpoint specific educational needs. Based on this, a customized curriculum was developed to cover essential skills and knowledge for identifying and combating sexism in media and advertising. The training consisted of one in-person module and two online sessions, involving 21 participants from various CSOs. Presentations from experts, including those from the Gender Equality Ombudsperson and the Croatian Journalists'' Ethics Council, enriched the training. Additionally, a digital manual offering practical guidance on tackling sexism was created and shared, reaching over 1,500 journalists and 170 media outlets.
The project then moved on to build cooperation both within and across sectors. An informal network of 11 CSOs was established to monitor and address sexism in media and advertising. The network held meetings to plan media monitoring and gather examples of sexist content. Throughout the project, 146 instances of sexism were published, and 15 cases were reported to relevant institutions. The network also produced dossiers on sexist media practices and published articles to highlight its activities.
Public advocacy was the focus of the third phase, aiming to advance international standards on women''s human rights. Policy recommendations were crafted based on institutional meetings, media monitoring, and international standards. These recommendations were reviewed and aligned with Council of Europe guidelines and were distributed to key stakeholders, including parliamentarians and media outlets. Advocacy efforts included meetings with lawmakers and media, with five CSOs promoting international standards in media and advertising.
In its final phase, the project executed a media campaign to raise public awareness about the harms of sexism. The campaign unfolded in three stages, incorporating social media posts, public actions in three Croatian cities, and collaboration with 53 influencers. It achieved significant engagement, with 111 stories shared anonymously, 61 articles published, and a reach of over 591,000 people on social media.
The project also focused on organizational development, providing training on time management, relevant laws, international documents, and media appearances to enhance the capacities of CGI staff. A workshop was conducted to develop a plan for involving young journalists in the Croatian Journalists'' Association (HND), which was later presented and supported at HND''s annual assembly.
The project has had a substantial impact on its target groups, the civil society sector, and the wider community. It has resulted in notable changes in awareness, capacity, and partnerships, contributing to the long-term sustainability of efforts to combat sexism in media and advertising. The initiative succeeded in raising awareness about the harm of sexism through educational content and campaigns. This heightened awareness led to more active recognition and condemnation of sexist content by women, girls, and men. The increase in reports of sexist content, comments, and social media engagement reflects this progress.
Marginalized groups also saw greater participation. By including organizations focused on human rights from less developed areas, such as INOVA, Delfin, and Korak, the project increased these groups'' involvement in combating sexism. Their contributions were crucial, resulting in the collection of nearly 4,500 articles on sexist content, which served as important evidence for advocacy efforts.
The project strengthened the capacities of civil society organizations (CSOs). Through training, mentoring, and support, these organizations became better equipped to recognize, monitor, and report sexism. This enhanced their long-term sustainability and ability to continue addressing sexism and collaborating within the informal network established during the project. The project’s educational and mentoring activities improved the ability of CSOs to act on future projects and activities. The continued collaboration beyond the project''s end and plans for future applications reflect a lasting impact on efforts to combat sexism.
An informal network of 11 CSOs was formed, enhancing cooperation between civil society organizations, media, institutions, and academia. This network not only facilitated the exchange of resources and information but also led to invitations to present at conferences and conduct training sessions. The project''s media visibility grew significantly, with numerous articles covering its activities and results.
A dedicated website, Seksizam.hr, was created to provide a long-term channel for information and support in the fight against sexism. This site consolidates crucial information previously scattered across different sources.
Key achievements include heightened awareness of media sexism through education, campaigns, and policy recommendations. This increased awareness among women, youth, and the broader community led to more active recognition and condemnation of sexist content. The project also made significant strides in media monitoring, with 4,500 discriminatory articles tracked and reported.
The project fostered improved cooperation among CSOs and with other sectors, leading to the establishment of the informal network and broader collaboration with media and institutions. Enhanced capacities for recognizing and reporting sexism have been noted, and intercultural dialogue has been advanced by addressing sexism and gender roles within a patriarchal culture.
Policy recommendations and public advocacy have promoted international human rights standards, with significant outreach to parliamentary parties, media, and academic institutions. This included delivering policy recommendations and holding educational sessions to foster a more informed and proactive approach to gender equality and combating sexism.
Summary of bilateral results
The partnership with the Icelandic Women''s Rights Association (IWRA) brought significant benefits to our project. Working with an organization that has over a century of experience in advancing gender equality provided us with invaluable insights into successful practices. Their expertise was especially helpful when adapting and applying effective methods in our own context. For instance, Rut Einarsdóttir''s training sessions were not only engaging but also offered practical examples that we can now use in our future work in Croatia. Additionally, IWRA’s advice and guidance were crucial when we were developing our policy recommendations, drawing from their rich experience.Our collaboration with IWRA also enabled us to apply for another project, which included a study visit to Iceland. This visit allowed us to deepen our understanding of their organization and connect with other key groups in Reykjavik, establishing important contacts for future collaborations.However, there were some challenges, particularly due to geographical distance and changes within their project team. At times, this led to delays in receiving timely support and responses. Despite these initial communication and coordination issues, both sides'' dedication and adaptability helped us overcome these obstacles. By the end of the project, we had established an effective working relationship that not only ensured the success of our current efforts but also opened doors for future joint projects. A particularly valuable connection was made with the president of IWRA, who has Croatian roots. This personal link has fostered a deeper connection and increased the potential for continued collaboration and partnerships.