By Smart Chalika
Malawi’s growing sports sector continues to leave female sports journalists behind as stakeholders fail to create a conducive and supportive working environment for women in the field.
Despite the rise of various sports disciplines, particularly women’s football, the number of female sports journalists in the country remains worryingly low.
Long-serving and award-winning sports journalist Lucy Kadzongwe has told MBC that many women are discouraged from entering or remaining in the profession due to the unaccommodating environment within the sports industry.
Kadzongwe noted that low self-esteem among female journalists also contributes to the dwindling numbers, stressing that the sector has not done enough to motivate or support aspiring women.
She urged stakeholders to take deliberate steps to bridge the gender gap and empower women to thrive in sports journalism.
Sports analyst Henry Gome echoed the concern, saying the growth of sports, especially women’s football, demands a corresponding increase in trained and empowered female reporters.
He challenged sports associations to take responsibility and help address the shortage, noting that balanced representation is key to the sector’s development.
Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) president, Jappie Mhango, admitted that more needs to be done to level the playing field and ensure female sports journalists are given equal opportunities to flourish.
Mhango stressed the importance of creating an enabling environment that encourages more women to join and thrive within the sports media industry.
