A three day workshop on gender equity and equality was held at a hotel in the federal capital on Monday with the aim of raising awareness on the issue of gender equity among media personnel from across the country. The work shop was organized by individuals in collaboration with the Aurat Foundation, and was conducted under the USAID supported Gender Equity Program.
Mr Tauseeq Haider and Gulmina Bibi moderated the event while gender expert Ms. Rehana Shaikh acted as resource personnel. Senior journalists from print media were also in attendance. The discussions focused on the sensitivity of communicating women related issues through the media and the selection of context specific messages which would be appropriate for the Pakistani society.
The organizers also stressed on the proper implementation of policies and reforms for the improvement of the status of women in Pakistan and policy changed which support the issue of gender equality and equity. They asked the media personnel to lobby for gender equity through their respective platforms. The organizers also presented the results of a survey which showed that the people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were more conservative and firmly patriarchal than those in other parts of the country.
Participants of the workshop openly discussed the issue of gender equity and shared their views and ideas on bringing equity among the citizens of the country. They also pointed out the hindrances which exist in the society with regard to the goal of equity and gave their suggestions on how to overcome these hindrances. They were of the view that there should be equal rights for both genders but in accordance with the religious teachings.