Women, television and other mass media: the role, the female image in the multimedia society in which we live. This is the theme of the Literary Cafe conceived and conducted by Paula Stranges, publisher of italiani.it, who met Gabriella Cims, formerly responsible forObservatory on the transposition of the European directive on audiovisual media services.
The guest of the Caffè Letterario, connected via the web, recalled his many battles for the protection of female dignity. Gabriella Cims also underlined the value of the Women and Media Appeal, the reform plan which it has been promoting for several years now to "improve the representation of women in television broadcasts and in all other media".
Women, television and other mass media
"The gap is still deep ". Thus Gabriella Cims expressed herself on the relationship between women and TV where female figures are often still relegated to marginal, secondary roles. Women who are cared for only for their physical beauty and not for their intellectual abilities, for the preparation and skills gained in the various professions. “With the Women's and Media Appeal - reiterated Gabriella Cims - we have tried to create a European standard.
I and other experts have launched a web campaign and, thanks to this initiative, we have collected thousands of subscriptions. A mobilization that allowed us to be heard in parliamentary commission of supervision. We were thus able to insert some salient points to give the right depth to the role of women on TV. Today the presence of women has increased - commented the expert - But the most prominent positions, the top positions, are always very risky. In the important roles women are rarely told".
Minister or minister, mayor or mayor, what is the right expression?
"Minister or minister, mayor or mayor, what is the right expression?". When asked by Paola Stranges, Gabriella Cims replied: “The appearance is not marginal. In the collective imagination there is the lawyer not the lawyer, the engineer not the engineer. To start unhinge these 'mental scabs' we can start using the terms of mayor, minister, lawyer etc, concerning these professions that otherwise seem not to exist.
The collective imagination - the expert pointed out - is the engine of the world, of the future. All this has a great influence on the choices of women who are involved in politics or who hold top positions in important fields. Not having the right and qualified female representation is mortifying for society which risks losing a precious contribution".
Making critical mass
Gabriella Cims insisted on a basic factor: "Critical mass must be made to have results. There are many winning stories of women who have established themselves: then we begin to spread them, to tell them. Let's talk about them because they are role models. We cannot be angels alone in a pandemic and then return to oblivion for everything else. We cannot always remain on the sidelines. Women and young people can redesign a new cultural perception of Italy. This is a theme that constitutes the heart of the recovery after the economic crisis: now it is time for a cultural renaissance ”.
Appeal Women and the Media, what results?
“The first objective achieved - explained Gabriella Cims - was the RAI reform. Along these lines, we must continue to raise awareness in the public service, which can be an avant-garde for all other television broadcasters. The public service could propose tutorials that bring women closer to technology and project them into the future. We really have a lot of resources to spend ”.
Women, television ... and social media?
Paola Stranges, during the pleasant conversation with Gabriella Cims, recalled the story of the actress Vanessa Incontrada. Show woman, beautiful and famous, harshly criticized for her soft lines. The actress, just recently, was chosen as a testimonial by the famous stylists Dolce and Gabbana. Exceptional model for curvy women.
“Even fashion can do a lot - stated the promoter of the Women's and Media Appeal - It is too easy to attract attention with shortcuts, with a half-naked woman. Those who have creativity and intelligence and want to transform this world must put their talent to good use. We want space, we want to be told. I have created a company with which my collaborators and I want to promote content that has a gender perspective. We thus want to offer a small but tangible contribution to involve the younger generations, the driving forces behind the recovery together with women ”.