EASING: A CECS project focusing on media coverage of gynaecological and obstetric violence in Portugal

With tasks being developed since the end of 2025, the EASING project aims to map and analyse media coverage of gynaecological and obstetric violence in Portugal, drawing on media theories such as agenda-building, agenda-setting and framing, and through content analysis of news reports and interviews with journalists.
Furthermore, it aims to explore the perceptions regarding media coverage held by those affected by gynaecological and obstetric violence and by healthcare professionals, comparing these with their personal stories.
The study aims to develop guidelines for the media and recommendations that could improve public health policies relating to the prevention of gynaecological and obstetric violence.

The project’s team, which brings together academics from various fields of knowledge and at different stages of their careers, is coordinated by Rita Araújo, and comprises Nicoletta Mandolini, Joana Pimentel Alves, Bibiana Garcez (CECS-UMinho) and Sónia Lamy (CICANT, U. Lusófona). These researchers have relevant experience in qualitative methodologies in the fields of health communication, media and journalism, sociology, gender studies and comics. EASING also has, as consultants, Dulce Morgado Neves (CIES-ISCTE) and Valeria Venditti (School of Nursing, University College Cork, Ireland).

As part of this work, a call for voluntary participation in an interview is being issued, with the aim of understanding how gynaecological and obstetric violence is reported in the media.

Further information is available on the website

[Published: 08-09-2026]