ROCHELLE JUNIOR

Sweida- Following the fall of the regime in Syria, women mobilized to make their voices heard. Since then, women journalists have made great efforts to change sexist language in the media and to ensure that women will not be depicted as accessories, but as subjects who transform society. However, the way the media portrays the role of women still raises questions and concerns.

Nawar Azzam has been working as a journalist in the Druze majority city of Sweida since 2018. During the rule of the Baathist regime, she pursued her career in journalism by taking pseudonyms due to oppression of the regime. She thinks that no obstacle should stand in the way of women’s determination to work, improve themselves and achieve their goals. Although she faced a smear campaign on social media platforms during the peaceful protests erupted in the city over the high inflation rate and deteriorating economic situation in Syria on August 17, 2023, she did not give up doing journalism.

Commodification of women

“The mainstream media often use women as marketing instruments although there are media outlets that strengthen the role of women,” said Nawar Azzam, emphasizing that this situation means the commodification of women in the media. “Talented women journalists are rarely given the opportunity. Many media outlets focus on appearance when employing female broadcasters.”

‘The language used by the media should be changed’

Despite all the challenges faced by Nawar Azzam, she reports on women, who become role models in society to encourage women.

“The idiom saying, “Behind every successful man there stands a woman”, is often used in society; however, this idiom overshadows women,” said Nawar Azzam. “Such idioms portray women as supporters. The media often uses women as a tool of propaganda. The media should stop portraying women as victims or weak human beings in need of sympathy. It should portray women as independent human beings, who stand on their own feet.”

Nawar Azzam thinks that the media play an important role in empowering women. “The media should support women without stereotypes.”