Ræða Kolbrúnar
Madam President.
I would like to begin by thanking the author of the report for this thorough and comprehensive report. The report addresses gender stereotypes in the media and how people’s ideas are shaped.
We still see systems and cultures that make it harder for women to be seen, heard and trusted to the same extent as men. The problem is not talent, skills or experience. The problem is how visibility, attention and opportunities are allocated.
Women and men often work differently and take different paths towards the same goal. That is not a weakness; it is a strength. The problem arises when everyone is measured against the same scale, a scale often shaped by a narrow view of leadership, influence and success.
Let’s take a common example. When a woman is silent in a meeting, she is sometimes seen as insecure, while a man who is silent is seen as thoughtful. When a woman is assertive, she is said to be difficult, but an assertive man is considered a strong leader.
These stereotypes do not only affect individuals. They also affect whose voices are heard in public debate, who enters politics and who participates in decision-making. In that sense, this is not only a question of equality; it is a question of democracy.
But today it is not just individuals who make choices. Social media and algorithms increasingly shape what we see, what gets attention and which messages are amplified. The report points out that digital platforms and algorithms can reinforce existing gender stereotypes and influence the visibility of different voices in public debate.
What do we need to do?
We need transparency from social media and measurable data. We need to invest in media literacy as part of the education of children and young people. A child who learns to identify bias, propaganda and harmful stereotypes is better equipped to participate in a democratic society.
We also need to ensure that women can participate safely and equally in public life without facing harassment, abuse and intimidation simply because they choose to make their voices heard.
Promoting equality in the media is not a threat to freedom of expression. We are demanding that the mirror show society as it is and that the media contribute to a society where everyone has an equal opportunity to be heard and represented.
This is about people’s freedom to choose and control their own lives without being squeezed into predetermined roles.
Thank you.