Article 23 of UDHR and Women’s Representation in Media
In the recent episode of Ranra (Light), a detailed discussion was carried out on Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and women’s representation in media. The media bears responsibility for a gender balanced and gender sensitive approach whether it’s about working in the field or in terms of content.
The first guest in the show, Mr. Manzar Ali Shah, a researcher and a journalism graduate from the University of Peshawar, opined that women are misrepresented and objectified in the media. He said that during his research he came to know that women are facing multiple types of stereotypes as challenges. He suggested that being an influencing tool, the media houses must realize that women working in media, if portrayed negatively, would influence the perception of other women.
The second guest in the show, Ms. Noorul Huda, a broadcaster and journalist, stated that according to international standards women have the right to equal work opportunities but due to the lack of education, customs and culture, women feel unconfident to work in such fields. The women who do work in the media face judgment by the society and are often labelled immoral. Women, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and underprivileged areas, face such problems due to the conservative environment. She suggested that regulatory authorities need to ensure monitoring in order to avoid any violation of women rights.
The report prepared by Asma Gul shared that Article 23 of UDHR advocates for equal work opportunities but in the field of media women face discrimination. The report prepared by Abdur Razzaq shared that regulatory authorities need to focus on these issues and strictly follow the mechanisms for monitoring and check on media outlets.
Two calls and two text messages were received during the show.
About Sabawoon:
Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the merged tribal Areas (FATA) since 2011. It began as a counter-radicalization, strategic communications program, designed to highlight and promote the fundamental governance values such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, equal citizenry, and social cohesion.
The show airs Tuesday through Thursday every week under three themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 kHz from 3:15 PM to 4:00 PM.
On Tuesday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues with input from government and other senior officials. On Wednesday, Jwandai Jazbey airs and deals with issues of relevance to, and significance for, youth, students. Issues of Women and socio-cultural affairs are discussed in Ranra on Thursday.
The primary objective of the show has been to underline the criticality of UDHR along with constitutionalism, fundamental rights, public accountability and the rule of law for countering extremism illegalities of all forms.