When TGG-ALM’s Global Advocacy Director, Dr. Leyla Hussein, and Senior Programme Manager, Olga De Biaggio attended the International Journalism Festival in Perugia-Italy, one theme emerged across almost every conversation- Stories shape power. And who gets to tell those stories matters.
Across sessions on conflict reporting, censorship, philanthropy, gender justice, and human rights journalism, there was a consistent set of underlying questions around narrative power: who is telling the story, how it is framed, and whose voices are prioritised or excluded.
“These are questions that closely mirror our own work on ending FGM, particularly in relation to the Power of Language. The tendency to frame certain forms of violence as “cultural” rather than as abuse remains a significant issue, and it was clear that similar dynamics exist across different contexts and issues.” said Dr. Leyla Hussein.
Decolonizing Journalism Means Examining Power
One of the most impactful sessions explored the concept of decolonizing journalism and the ways media narratives continue to be shaped by history, power, and colonial legacies.
There were sessions that examined the Epstein files, particularly the survivors, and how long it took for them to be believed or for any action to be taken against the perpetrators.
The first discussion focused on media failures, highlighting how early reporting did not adequately challenge power and often failed to center survivors’ voices. The second session, featuring journalist Amy Wallace, delved into the structures that enabled the abuse. It underscored the complexities of investigative journalism when confronting power and the responsibility journalists have to ensure survivors’ voices are treated with care and integrity.
“I posed a question around the idea of the “perfect victim” or “perfect survivor,” exploring how race, gender, and global location shape whose stories are believed and amplified. If white women, even within high-profile cases such as Epstein files, struggled for years to be heard and believed, it raises an important question about what this means for Black and Brown girls, particularly those affected by FGM, whose experiences are often further marginalised or reframed.” Added, Dr. Leyla Hussein.
Reflecting on broader discussions on gender-based violence and media narratives, Olga De Biaggio noted: “Violence against women and girls is normalized and accepted. It is justified, ignored and new technologies are not used to stop it, but to exacerbate it.” She also highlighted emerging risks in the digital and political space, adding that “The rise of the anti-rights movement and the manosphere are worrying trends that make the work of programmes like TGG now more important than ever.”
These discussions challenged the notion that journalism is always neutral, highlighting how language, framing, and editorial choices can reinforce harmful narratives and determine whose experiences are seen, believed, and valued.
For TGG-ALM, these conversations resonated strongly with ongoing work on the Power of Language. The sessions reinforced a reality that many activists working to end FGM already know: violence against women and girls is often softened or obscured through language that prioritizes culture and tradition over human rights and bodily autonomy.
The Power of Language in Ending all forms of gender based violence
Across the festival, speakers repeatedly returned to questions that sit at the heart of TGG-ALM’s advocacy:
- Who is telling the story?
- How is the story being framed?
- Whose voices are being prioritised?
- Who is being left out?
These questions are particularly relevant in discussions about FGM, where media narratives can unintentionally minimise harm by presenting the practice primarily through a cultural lens.
One of the most promising outcomes of the festival was the opportunity to connect with survivors and advocates working across different forms of gender-based violence.
Several participants expressed interest in learning more about efforts to recognise FGM as a form of gender based violence, and child abuse, and to strengthen survivor-led advocacy.
These conversations highlighted important areas of shared learning and collaboration, including:
- Survivor leadership
- Ethical storytelling
- Accountability in media reporting
- Challenging harmful narratives
- Consistent language on violence against women and girls
The discussions reinforced that although forms of violence may differ, many survivors share similar experiences of disbelief, silencing, and misrepresentation.
