Amplifying Marginalized Voices in Media Coverage of Gender-Based Violence During the 16 Days of Activism in Tanzania

This paper presents the findings of a two-week monitoring project on Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Tanzanian and explores how the media outlets frame the marginalized voices, institutional narratives, and intersectional inclusivity. Drawing qualitative approach and analysis of media coverage of GBV during the 2024 16 Days of Activism campaign remarkably November 25 to December 10, 2024, it reveals the extent that media platforms amplify or marginalize survivor voices. Through two weeks of media monitoring across print, broadcast, and social media including sources notably Mwananchi, TBC1, Cloud FM, and advocacy-driven digital platforms and campaigns through #EndGBVNow and #16DaysOfActivism the study explores recurring themes, language use, tone, and inclusivity. Guided by critical gender theories including Judith Butler’s gender performativity and Gave Tuchman’s symbolic annihilation, the analysis reveals media’s dual role in either perpetuating or challenging patriarchal narratives. Findings indicate that traditional media often foreground prevailing institutional voices while underrepresenting marginalized groups, especially rural women and women with disabilities, portraying harmful cultural practices like FGM and child marriage as community challenges rather than universal human rights violation. Conversely, social media emerged as a transformative space for survivor-led advocacy. Hence the study calls for inclusive, ethical, and survivor-centered media reporting as well as strategic integration of digital and mainstream media to promote justice and policy reform in GBV reporting.