1.4 Limitations to data gathering The value of survey results is not only determined by the number of people who respond to the questions but also by the way the respondents were 4 identified. In that regard, MMA relied on Sally Chiwama’s media contacts and on her distributing the survey link to them. This meant that there could be limitations to the number of media workers having the opportunity to respond to the survey. Survey results are also dependent on the form, wording and context of the questions asked as well as the people who answer them. 5 In addition, answers to survey questions also depend on the form in which the questions are asked. As such, by varying the form, wording and context of the 6 questions we asked, we were able to gain insights into how gender discrimination manifests itself in Zambian media workplaces. Since surveys ask the same questions in the same order of every respondent, they do not obtain full reports 7 . Instead, the information they obtain from one person is fragmentary, made up of bits and pieces of attitudes and observations and appraisals. 8 For that reason, we used in-depth interviews to get more insights into the prevalence and nature of gender discrimination in Zambian media workplaces. However, because the fuller responses obtained through in-depth interviews could not be easily categorised, MMA’s analysis of the responses relied more on interpretation, summary and integration. This required more time, care and consideration in order to provide a deeper understanding of gender discrimination in Zambian media workplaces. Overall, combining both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to examine gender discrimination ensured that where one method failed the other complemented. 2. What is discrimination in occupation and employment? Discrimination is the distinction, exclusion or preference for or against a person on arbitrary grounds. This could either be on the basis of their gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity or social origin, race, marital status, HIV status, pregnancy by an employer which has the effect of nullifying or impairing equality of opportunity in employment and occupation. 9 2.1 Gender Discrimination at work Gender discrimination mirrors and reinforces discrimination in other social spheres, e.g. family, community, school and political arena and intersects with other forms of discrimination, such as age or race.As a concept, gender refers to the“differences between males and females that are socially constructed, changeable over time and have 10 wide variations within and between cultures”. Unlike sex which is biologically determined, gender speaks to learned behaviours and expectations to fulfil one’s image of being a man or a woman 1 . 1 Ch2> 11