Violence against women during elections (VAWE) and gender bias in media coverage of the 2021 elections in Albania

A media monitoring study was conducted prior, during and after the general elections in Albania in 2021. This study aimed to: (i) identify the main forms of VAWE that are facilitated or amplified by broadcast, print, online, and social media in Albania and (ii) provide information on gender bias in media coverage during the elections.

The study, conducted by Observatory for Children and Youth Rights, with the support of UN Women in Albania, tries to explore the role of media, in promoting gender equality in a context marked by the decline of paper-based journalism and COVID-19 limitations on reporting. It further seeks to identify whether and how media (particularly online and digital media) facilitates violence against women in political processes and during elections.