Many of the participants used sex and gender interchangeably often to the point of conflation. In other words, the differences between females and males that are socially constructed, changeable over time and have wide variations within and between cultures are conflated with the biological characteristics that define human beings at birth. Such conflation is problematic in that it may lead some media workers to assume that gender roles, just like sex, are biologically determined and therefore not subjected to scrutiny and in turn cannot be challenged, let alone changed. We also found that some media workers understand gender discrimination specifically as an exclusion or restriction on the basis of being female. Their responses highlighted gender discrimination as a phenomenon only affecting female media workers as illustrated by the following quotations. “In our organisation gender discrimination is when the male workmates are favoured to take high profile assignments because the organisation feels that men are better performers than women and as a result female journalists feel discriminated.” – Respondent “I understand it as a situation where someone is categorized or sidelined based on their sex. For an example preference for certain assignments is given to men and not their female colleagues.”- Respondent There was however, a clear understanding of gender discrimination as a violation of human rights and as being prejudicial; thus highlighting gender equality is essential for the achievement of human rights for all. This is illustrated by the following quotations. “Gender discrimination is prejudice or discrimination based on a person's sex or gender”. – Respondent “Discrimination based on gender or sex is a common civil rights violation”. – Respondent Though traditionally the face of gender discrimination has been female and as a result most campaigns against discrimination have been targeted at women, it was clear from the responses that gender discrimination was not exclusive to women. This is captured in the quotes below in response to their understanding of what gender discrimination is. “Discrimination against either sexes especially the female folk. We all have the right to be treated equally”. – Respondent “Discrimination based on a person's gender or sex, which more often affects girls and women. Because of gender discrimination, girls and women do not have the same opportunities as boys and men for education, meaningful careers, political influence, and economic advancement.” – Respondent “This is the unfair treatment of an individual on the basis of biological make up(either female or male) in whatever circumstance or environment at home, work or in any related activity.” – Respondent 3.1 Is gender discrimination in Zambian media workplaces a problem? The Zambian Constitution clearly protects the right to liberty, security of the person, freedom of assembly and association, and the protection of the law. However for many in Zambia these rights are far from reality. This is true for the majority of women in Zambia. Women in Zambia account for 51 percent of the total population according to the Central Statistics office 2010 census report. 19 13