In a first, NPC reserves four seats for women journalists

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 10 December 2014

The National Press Club in Islamabad has reserved four seats for women journalists in its elections, responding to demands from the All-Pakistan Women Journalists Convention. This initiative aims to enhance women's involvement in decision-making roles within journalism.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: The General Council of National Press Club (NPC), Islamabad has adopted amendments to the club’s constitution reserving four seats for women journalists in the annual elections.

The amendments were introduced by Afzal Butt, President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). Now, two female journalists would be elected to the governing body, besides one position each of vice president and joint secretary on reserved seats.

The female journalists can also contest the NPC election on general seats as well, if they wish so.

The demand for reserved seats was made during an All-Pakistan Women Journalists Convention held in Lahore in May this year. At that time the PFUJ president committed he would move an amendment to the constitution of the National Press Club.

Myra Imran, a journalist with The News, closely involved in making of the declaration for the Women Journalists Convention, welcomed the decision but said it remained to be seen if this change leads to any substantial involvement of women journalists in decision-making.

Sadia Kamal, a Seraiki journalist pointed out that there were 134 Press Club in Pakistan, and hoped this decision would be replicated by all clubs.