Standing strong: Breaking the gender barrier in journalism

‘Women demand equality not preferential treatment’.

LAHORE:

“You have to fight for your rights...no one is going to wrap them up and present them to you,” Farah Warraich, editor of Jehan Pakistan newspaper, said on Sunday.

She was addressing an event organised by the Lahore Press Club’s executive in connection with Women’s Day celebrations. The event aimed to highlight the accomplishments of women journalists in the country.

Warraich has been a journalist for 28 years. “When I began my career, I was told that I would not be paid as much as my men colleagues would be since I could not stay for night shifts,” she said. “I broke that taboo.” From working long night shifts to taking on assignments not traditionally meant for women journalists, Warraich has broken several stereotypes along the way.

Adviser to Chief Minister Zakia Shahnawaz said she had been interacting with women journalists since 1985 and had seen the industry transform. “The professional maturity and capability of women journalists has improved many folds...now they hold executive positions in several media organisations.”

Tehmina Daultana said, “We have to make our way ourselves...no one is going to do that for us. We don’t want charity we can take our rights on our one.”

Justice (r) Nasira Iqbal said discrimination against women began while they were still in the womb. “No one talks about female infanticide. No one empowers them…women must have the right to their own bodies.”

Justice (r) Iqbal regretted that a large number of women had been subjected to discrimination and violence at home over the years. “Women are not baby-producing machines...we are humans and have rights.”

She said a 2007 UNDP report had stated that there were around 6 million missing women in Pakistan. “How many of us raise our voice over this issue?”

She also said that the country’s leaders needed to take the people on board regarding peace talks with the Taliban. “We will not talk to them unless all terrorist activities stop. They openly kill us and negate the Constitution...how can we engage with such an entity?”

Domestic violence against women needs to be addressed through legislation, said Supreme Court Advocate Hina Jilani. She said women were unsafe even at their own homes. “It is because of women journalists that issues pertaining to violence against oppressed segments of the society have come to limelight,” she said. “When conservative people quash progressive voices in the country, there can be no guarantee of equality or protection of rights.”

Lahore Press Club general secretary Mian Shahbaz said the event was the first of its kind. He said a recent report on media organisations in the country revealed that out of more than 15,000 employees in six major media organisations, there were only 331 women employees. Shahbaz said 89 women journalists were LPC members and efforts were underway to extend membership to other women journalists. “Women do not demand preferential treatment. They just want to be treated as equals in a male dominated society,” he said.

The event was attended by journalists, politicians, lawmakers and civil society activists. Women journalists were also presented awards for their achievements in journalism.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2014.