Islamabad: Media has witnessed a positive change with increase in number of women in different departments and this change in media industry would trigger the same change at in all walks of life.
The hope was expressed by participants at a consultative meeting on ‘enhancing women’s leadership role in the society’ organised by Peace and Development Foundation (PDF) at the National Press Club (NPC).
Fifteen women journalists representing various mainstream media organizations on the occasion received special awards in recognition of their work and struggle for women empowerment. The speakers during the consultative meeting highlighted various aspects of the gender mainstreaming and empowerment and said that the particular mindsets regarding the role of women needed to be changed. On this occasion, senior women journalists including Farida Hafeez, Rubab Ayesha and Faizia Shahid also shared their journey of journalism.
Executive Director PDF Romana Bashir said that the role of women as leaders should be enhanced in the different walks of life as at present, the country is not getting benefits of their true potential in national development. She said media is also part of civil society and hence, has an important role to raise awareness on the need of women in leaders.
Senior Journalists including President Pakistan Federal union of Journalists (PFUJ) Afzal Butt, President NPC Shakil Anjam, General Secretary NPC Imran Yahqoob, Secretary General Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) Ali Raza Alvi, Shafqat Aziz and others on the occasion said that it was encouraging to watch women playing vibrant role in media. However, they said, for a sustained impact, the effort on enhancing women empowerment should be aligned with social and cultural norms of the society.
The speakers said that there was no denying of the fact that women in leadership role were imperative for the development society. However, things in this regard were being moved forward and several positive measures could be observed that were aimed to enhance the role of women in social, political and economic arenas.
