Figure 6: How often does gender discrimination take place? 100 % 77 % 60 % 49 35 % 25 % 1 7% 5 13% 7 % % 13% 7% 13% 13% 27% % Once More than Once More than Once Once More than Other a day once a week once a month a year once a day week year There is direct correlation in the response that was given by those who were victims of gender discrimination. Thirteen percent of the respondents stated that they encountered discrimination, more than once a week, more than once a year, more than once a day and once a year. This highlights that gender discrimination in Zambian media workplaces has been institutionalised and become the lived experience of many media workers. The problem with institutionalisation or normalisation of gender discrimination is that media workers may dismiss some of it as part of acceptable newsroom culture. This will have adverse effects on working conditions and greater implications on media workers playing their role effectively as part of the fourth estate. The other issue is; how is it possible that gender discrimination has been allowed to fester to a point where is has become normal? Twenty seven percent of the respondents cited other for this question. When looking at the reasons given, it was still clear that discrimination was a daily experience. There was also a link between the frequency at which discrimination occurs and a certain type of discrimination. This is illustrated in the quotes below. “It always happens whenever there is a high profile assignment, male photographers are usually favoured.” – Respondent (Discrimination occurs)“All the time.”- Respondent “Each time there was a presidential assignment abroad.” – Respondent “Quite often. It is not easy to put a time line.” – Respondent 3.3 Who are the victims of gender discrimination in Zambian media workplaces? Hierarchical and managerial powers are central to understanding how such a culture develops and continues to; those who are in lower positions in the workplaces are more likely to become victims of gender discrimination; however from the figure below it is also clear that gender discrimination can occur at various levels within an organisation. The entrenchment of patriarchy and its persistence in most societies has ensured that victims of gender discrimination have remained largely women. This was corroborated by stories from interviews with media workers. 16