Individualland, IFJ launch report highlighting gender disparity in Pakistani media

JournalismPakistan.com
November 09, 2022

ISLAMABAD—Pakistani women in media face all sorts of disparities and biases, including inequality in promotion opportunities, salary structures, facilities like daycare centers, maternity leaves, and opportunities for top positions.

These findings were presented by Lubna Naqvi from IFJ Asia and Pacific while delivering the welcome note during the report launch event organized by Individualland Pakistan in collaboration with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Asia and Pacific on Wednesday.

Ghulam Mustafa, Country Representative of IFJ, also a member of IFJ Asia and Pacific, while focusing on gender-based disparities in the media industry in Pakistan, highlighted that "women despite their competence and talent are not given equal opportunities. They are particularly not given the opportunity to hold leading positions in their media groups, which results in a sense of deprivation among them."

While representing the research team, Myra Imran gave detailed presentations on the key findings of the survey conducted with media personnel, including challenges and recommendations. Most of the disparities faced by women in media stem from the patriarchal mindset that limits women in their roles. However, it was highly recommended that women in media raise their voices not only for women in general but particularly for women in media to get access to equal opportunities.

The selected women researchers' needs assessment exercise/research is an effort in the right direction.

Women researchers team, including Fauzia Shahid, Myra Imran, and Rashida Kiyani, also talked about their efforts and challenges faced during the research to conduct the needs assessment and to highlight the disparities faced by women in media, success stories, and recommendations for improving their overall status.

In her message, Gulmina Bilal Ahmad, Executive Director Individualland Pakistan, concluded that "the ongoing efforts to highlight disparities faced by women in media must continue as women have to go a long way to fight the patriarchal mindset."