KATHMANDU: Media experts today said that the women in Nepal were not getting their rightful places due to 'imbalance in portrayal of women in media' on many different grounds.

Presenting a paper at an interaction organised by National Women's Commission, coordinated by Sancharika Samuha on 'Women's portrayal on media' organised to mark 16-day activism against domestic violence, Rajendra Salav, media person and cinema maker today said, "There is no balance in portrayal of women in media due to various reasons."

He said, "Women should be in leadership, decision making level and income generating sources to have balanced portrayal in media."

"Despite being aware about their rights, there could not be balance in equal participation everywhere due to traditional thinking, insecure environment and lack of confidence in women," he added.

According to Salav, there are only 10 per cent women in print media, 19 per cent in television and 34 per cent in FM radios.

He said that out of 300 advertisement agencies, only two advertisement agencies have women as chief.

Naina Kala Thapa, president NWC urged women to be aware themselves for equality in every places.

She said, "Men try to take advantages from women because they have been brought up in patriarchal society," adding, "Therefore we should be aware of our rights and try not to be manipulated by the men."

She said that the society was changing in revolutionary way thus we should also move ahead in a revolutionary way for balanced portrayal of women in media.

She also emphasised on capacity building of women. "Women should be given special rights to enhance their capacity for equal participation not only in media but in every sector.

Tej Ratna Shakya, secretary, NWC said that women media person should prepare their digital database to know each other and have their record for future.

Babita Basnet, president Sancharika Samuha said that women needed reservation until they came to the level of their male counterparts.

She said, "There is imbalance in men and women in our society as it was a patriarchal one. So until the women come to the level of men, reservation was necessary along with their capacity building."