KATHMANDU, MARCH 9
Media experts and journalists of South Asia have called for systematic structural change in media outlets of the region to break the bias against women and accelerate women's equal participation in leadership roles.
These observations and insights came during the South Asia Panel discussion on "Accelerating Women's Equal Participation in Media" organised by Media Action Nepal to observe the 112th International Women's Day on March 8.
The hour-long virtual session comprised panelists from six South Asian countries - Sri Lanka, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal - along with a keynote speaker from Pakistan.
Presenting a grim picture of the South Asian media ownership modality, Chairperson of Media Action Nepal and the Co-Chair of the Media Freedom Coalition-Consultative Network (MFC-CN) Laxman Datt Pant said, "The region requires immediate structural transformation in media ownership to encourage women journalists to lead newsrooms and take decision-making roles."
"This can be done through policy revisions and reflections of gender-sensitive indicators in actions to ensure that an enabling environment is created in terms of recognition and respect," Pant added.
Similarly, Chair of the Journalism Research and Education Section at International Association of Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) Sadia Jamil emphasised that gender inequality is rooted in cultures across South Asia and goes beyond the newsroom.
"As women are working in the media sector or for the promotion of gender quality in media, it is important to understand that strong women or strong journalists are not born but rather created by embracing the challenges they face," she added.
Executive Director of Centre for Investigative Reporting, Sri Lanka and the Co-Convener of South Asian Women in Media Dilrukshi Handunnetti said, "Media institutions are mostly run by men and for men. The structure, culture, family and institutions in South Asia are less supportive to women's career in journalism or media."
Editor-in-Chief of the Straight Line in India Pallavi Sareen said, "Due to the existing gender stereotypes, it is difficult for women journalists to go to the field and collect news. People do not want to share their stories with women journalists as they think they will not take their stories to the concerned ones." She also said that it was important to have women journalist's support groups so they can help each other. President of Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Samiti Nasima Akter Soma urged fellow male journalists to create a conducive environment for women journalists to help them move ahead in their career path.
A version of this article appears in the print on March 10, 2022, of The Himalayan Times
