The mass media is uniquely positioned to highlight and motivate action to end violence against women. We have a few pointers on how to script stories differently to help women gain voices and rights. These suggestions have been collated from various research papers and manuals.

• Highlight the fact that violence against women is not ‘normal’.
• Target the community’s denial of violence against women issues and break the ‘culture of silence’ around it.
• Expose the myth that only some cultures or classes are violent.
• The issue of women’s rights should be the heart of journalistic endeavour.
• Research into the missing link of power – Are women empowered or excluded from asserting their rights in public and private arena and exercising their freedom to make choices?
• Measure empowerment of women (freedom of mobility, involvement in family decisions, freedom from family control, political and legal awareness, involvement on community life, education levels, health care availability and access and economic security).
• Place individual instances of crime against the larger issue of violence against women.
• Statistics and fact files on incidence of violence against women will tell a powerful story.
• Keep track of a country’s reporting on CEDAW and compliance to its principles.
• Track legal measures and loopholes relating to violence against women.
• Produce national and regionally comparative information on violence against women that is lacking.
• Diversify images of women to counter traditional stereotype images.
• Report the negative fall-outs of violence against women in various spheres of life.
• Enhance coverage to affect policy changes.
• Identify cultural practices of peaceful conflict resolution.
• Quote experts on the issue and latest research papers to underscore the gravity of the issue.
• Incorporate both men and women’s voices; have a list of women experts and include among ‘credible’ newsmakers people who enjoy authority in the informal space of politics.
• Look into the economic costs of violence against women.
• Survey trends to capture emerging threats to women.
• While interviewing, consensus of violence survivors is a must.
• Bring to light efforts being made to curb violence against women.
• Step up coverage during the annual 16 days of Activism: No Violence Against Women.
• In the case of domestic violence, place the crime in the context of domestic violence.
• Underline that domestic violence is not a private matter.
• Avoid calling domestic violence a “relationship problem” or an “unexplained tragedy.”
• Attempt to incorporate information on hotlines, shelters, laws, legal centres and other relevant resources to allow women to protect themselves.