Women in The Media - Role models matter!

Every woman should have the tools to take control of her life. Every woman should know the opportunities on offer. And every woman should be able to access them. It's clear to me that role models are important. The more women see other women succeed, excel, inspire: the more they will see they can do it themselves too. From the woman next door to the woman on the television. We won't get anywhere if all young girls see is princesses and ponies. Let's have more women, at every level, who are not afraid to be authentic and express their opinion. I see progress in this area. More women are becoming more visible. Indeed for new tools like social media, they are even becoming the largest customers. And we are seeing many new services tailored to their needs and preferences. But other sectors still need to catch up. Too many people think you market to women just by taking an existing product, shrinking it and painting it pink. Too few women work in the key sector of ICT, because they think it's boring or not for them. In some sectors, women hardly feature at all, or only as the worst kind of stereotype. Our media sector, free and plural, is an essential part of our democracy. Free of government control, it is able to create, innovate, challenge authority. And it is hugely influential: able to show how society is, and how it could be. The digital age brings huge changes for that sector: and a huge opportunity. It gives the chance to adapt, innovate and reach new audiences. And it brings changing consumer needs, as people come to expect content on demand, and tailored to their interests. Indeed, digital tools even break down barriers between consumers and producers. These days anyone can produce their own content! In such an environment, no sector can afford to make half its customer base feel excluded. And no woman can afford to deny herself the skills to open up that world of opportunity. This sector, like so many others, would benefit from diversity -- so that those producing reflect those they are serving, without resorting to crude stereotypes. At every level, from the board down. How to achieve this is not simple. One must balance the needs for equality and media freedom; and indeed different solutions may be appropriate in each different sector and each different country. But I wish you the best of luck discussing this important issue over the coming days. I hope you find many new ideas, alliances and strategies to help us take this issue forward.