Journalists can help advance women’s rights by moving from a “protectionist approach to a more human rights approach” in their reporting, according to gender equality advocate Geetanjali Misra.

 “Protection of women just means keeping them indoors” she said, attending the annual Conference on the Status of Women (CSW) at UN Headquarters, but consistent reporting can help to shape public opinion over women’s equality issues.

According to Ms. Misra, the Executive Director of the feminist human rights organization CREA, the media can help shape social and cultural norms, and shift thinking over a woman’s right to make choices involving her own body.

Ms. Mishra spoke to Liz Scaffidi.