Why create a worldwide network of women in the news media?
Women in the media are isolated, both from one another and from the traditional networks that men in the media use to get ahead in their profession. In order to advance in their careers, journalists need to take advantage of professional training opportunities. Still, women journalists responding to IWMF polls and those who have attended IWMF programs have consistently said that they must struggle to gain access to leadership and career development training. Journalists have declined opportunities to participate in IWMF training, even though it was offered free of charge, because their supervisors would not grant permission for them to attend. The IWMF network was created to help women in the media share professional information and support one another, as well as to provide access to the latest research and statistics on women in the news media.
