The declaration demanded for 33 per cent women reservation in FNJ bodies. It also demanded amendment of FNJ statute and change the provision that allowed only council members to participate in the central convention. FNJ should introduce programmes to encourage women journalists, it added.

Similarly, the declaration demanded special programmes to uphold press freedom and action against those involved in assaulting Tika Bista, a Rukum-based journalist. It also sought for a toll free number and two seats for Karnali journalists (male and female) in the central committee of FNJ.

Likewise the women journalists urged FNJ to take initiatives for special facilities to media services run by women. Compulsory insurance of journalists, establishment of women department from district to central level were the other demands.

Women journalists expressed their problems to Shankar Pokharel, Minister for Information and Communication in the closed session today. More than hundred women journalists from various parts of the country had participated in the conference.