{"id":55023,"date":"2025-11-17T08:39:30","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T08:39:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/?p=55023"},"modified":"2025-11-17T08:41:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T08:41:16","slug":"female-journalists-continue-to-face-harassment-and-discrimination-opinions-at-ifj-women-media-persons-workshop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/female-journalists-continue-to-face-harassment-and-discrimination-opinions-at-ifj-women-media-persons-workshop\/","title":{"rendered":"Female Journalists Continue to Face Harassment and Discrimination, Opinions at IFJ, Women Media persons’ Workshop"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"( Editor’s Note :<\/strong> Our conformity to the entire material and opinions expressed in this article is not necessary. We think harassment should be seen and discussed on case to case to basis. There are examples where women used the harassment law as a tool to black mail the seniors only to avoid doing their duty or for seeking extra benefits. The writer himself has worked on the same story recently. IFJ and Women Media Forum are supposed to host a workshop on the other side of story as well. Tazeen Akhtar<\/strong> )<\/em><\/p>\n

By Imran Chaudhary<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"The International Federation of Journalists ( IFJ), through its Women Media Forum Pakistan, organized a high-level consultative meeting and media workshop in Islamabad to discuss the ongoing challenges, workplace harassment, and gender discrimination faced by women journalists across Pakistan.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Women\u2019s Representation Remains Alarmingly Low<\/strong><\/p>\n

The workshop gathered a large number of working women journalists from leading television channels, newspapers, and media organizations.<\/p>\n

Rashida Shoaib, National Coordinator of the International Federation of Journalists \u2013 Women Media Forum Pakistan , stated that since 2023, five regional coordinators have been actively working across the country, conducting workshops and training sessions for media professionals.<\/p>\n

She said that before the 2024 general elections, the Federation set a major agenda to ensure greater inclusion of women in leadership roles within media organizations, journalist unions, and press clubs.<\/p>\n

According to Shoaib, despite the growing number of women entering journalism, their representation in leadership positions remains below five percent.<\/p>\n

A recent survey by the IFJ revealed that out of approximately 20,000 journalists working in Pakistan, only about 1,000 are women, most of whom face barriers in career progression, salary increments, and access to reporting opportunities.<\/p>\n

Lack of Facilities and Institutional Support<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shoaib also highlighted the absence of basic workplace facilities for women journalists, including separate restrooms, prayer areas, and transport arrangements. She emphasized that many media houses fail to enforce workplace harassment laws and safety regulations, leaving women vulnerable both in offices and in the field.<\/p>\n

She further urged media managements to implement the Harassment at Workplace Act, and to promote women journalists into decision-making and editorial positions.
\nPFUJ Works to Stand with Women Journalists<\/p>\n

Women Journalists Association Formed-Demands 33 % Representation in ORGs, Media Houses, Departments<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n