How Female Journalists Use Gender Bias as a Tool in Africa
Female journalists leading news bureaus for the Portuguese news agency Lusa in Africa have successfully navigated systemic harassment and patriarchal hurdles by turning their gender into a strategic tool for reporting, according to a new academic study.
A “Gender Dialectic”: Vulnerability vs. Advantage
The dissertation, titled “Lusa’s International Correspondents in Lusophone Africa,” was authored by Cecília Malheiro, a Lusa journalist herself, for her Master’s degree in African Studies at the University of Porto. Based on interviews with six former bureau chiefs across Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and Mozambique, the study identifies a “gender dialectic”—a constant tension between the unique risks women face and the unexpected advantages they wield.
“There is greater vulnerability in challenging countries, especially in contexts of conflict and war where women are more exposed to sexual violence,” Malheiro told Lusa. However, the study found that in deeply patriarchal systems where women are often intellectually underestimated, sources frequently let their guard down.
Underestimated and Unstoppable
The research highlights how this lack of perceived threat allowed journalists to gain access their male counterparts might not. Luísa Ribeiro, Lusa’s first female bureau chief in Angola (1990–1993), recalled that she avoided expulsion during the height of the civil war specifically because officials viewed her simply as “a girl.”
Other interviewees noted that a “calmer discourse” and natural empathy served as essential tools for de-escalating tense situations and maintaining operational longevity in the field.
Navigating Harassment and Cultural Norms
Despite their successes, the journalists reported facing constant threats to their credibility and physical safety. Sandra Moutinho, who led the Cape Verde bureau from 2019 to 2020, described frequent sexual harassment from sources, forcing her to adopt strict self-protection strategies, such as only meeting contacts in public spaces.
Personal status also played a significant role in professional safety. Marisa Serafim, a former bureau chief in Guinea-Bissau, noted that while she faced “harassment and sexual molestation” as a single woman, the climate changed once she married. “A married woman in Africa is seen as more dignified and respected,” Malheiro explained, “and therefore, she becomes a more respected journalist.”
A Call for Formal Support
One of the study’s most striking findings is the lack of institutional support provided to these women. None of the interviewees received psychological counseling or formal briefings before their deployments. Instead, they relied on informal “tips” passed down from their predecessors.
Malheiro hopes her research will serve as the foundation for a formal manual to guide future international correspondents. Her work concludes that despite the lack of infrastructure and the prevalence of harassment, these journalists proved that “distinct, female-led journalism” is not only possible but highly effective in some of the world’s most challenging reporting environments.
Image: Pexels – Tahir Xəlfəquliyev
