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Draft guidelines reviewed for gender-sensitive media

Islamabad: The participants of a function organised here in connection with International Women’s Day by Press Council of Pakistan took a detailed view of the recommendations included in draft PCP guidelines for gender sensitive media and appreciated the initiative to promote gender equality in free media.

The draft guidelines were prepared after consultation with National Commission on the Status of Women and women, and rights activists groups like UKS and relevant NGOs. Initiated under directive from PCP Council members, the final draft will be placed before the PCP General Council for final approval.

Presided over by PCP Chairperson Raja Shafqat Khan Abbasi, the event was participated by prominent figures having name in human rights, academicians, students from women universities and journalists covering gender issues.

Addressing the gathering, Shafqat Abbasi said that in democracy, free press establishes sovereignty of both men and women without any gender bias. He said that with the power of present-day free media, we can challenge social stereotypes to promote empowerment of women to be an equal partner in building Pakistani Nation. He said that as a media watchdog body, PCP will do whatever it can to develop a media that is gender-sensitive and follows highest professional standards while covering gender issues. He appreciated efforts of relevant NGOs and right groups in finalising draft recommendations for gender sensitive media.

Nasreen Azhar, member PCP, appreciated the coordination extended by different NGOs in drafting these guidelines and assured that this process would continue in future to improve on gender sensitive code of ethics. Human rights activists Tahira Abdullah said we all need to work together for the proper implementation of gender sensitive code of ethics to insure gender equality in all spheres of life. She said that UKS had put in hard work to prepare guidelines which should be acknowledged and incorporated in PCP guidelines. She deplored using normative words in the guidelines.

The News