Women in Media Awards 2013: Recipients honour women pioneers in journalism

Seven journalists were given awards on Wednesday.

KARACHI: The Pakistani media did not have many female journalists before to boast of, but the scenario has changed with names such as Razia Bhatti, Najma Babar and Zubeida Mustafa who dared to come forward and highlight issues pertinent to females. Many more have followed in their footsteps and on Wednesday, in recognition of such brave women of Pakistan’s print, electronic and online media, seven female journalists were awarded the first ever Women in Media Awards 2013.

The awards were given by the UKS, a research, resource and publication centre on Women and Media, All Pakistan Newspapers Society, Center for International Private Enterprise and the Getz Pharma. “Do not underestimate yourselves, you can do tremendous work,” advised Zubeida Mustafa after receiving her lifetime achievement award. “We should also recognise efforts of those who struggled hard at the time when there was almost no space for women in journalism.”

Razeshta Sethna from the Herald Publications was the winner from print media while Imrana Komal of the Daily Urdu Express secured the runner-up award.



Afifa Habib and Shamim Anjum of the Pakistan Radio secured winner and runner-up awards respectively for highlighting gender issues.

Khyber TV’s Shamim Ara defeated all her counterparts for shedding light on issues faced by women in tribal areas. Mehmoona Saeed of the Geo TV secured the runner-up award. Saadia Sehar Haider was the only winner who was recognised for her reporting in online medium.

“What I am today, is all because of my husband,” said Haider. Her husband was killed in Afghanistan in 2001, following which she entered the field. “Two types of men are found in our society - those who respect women and others who disown them.”

Most of the speakers complained that women were not being recognised and encouraged for their positive work in media.

Zohra Yusuf, the chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, appreciated efforts taken by the UKS and urged not to disregard those female journalists who had set the trends.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 14^th, 2013.