ISLAMABAD: Uks Research Centre on Wednesday launched its Annual Desk Diary 2014 titled ‘Women of Pakistan: rebuilding lives courageously after each disaster and conflict’ which focused on the disasters and crises that have struck Pakistan, besides analysing how the media reported on these disasters from a gender perspective.
Being a media advocacy group, Uks also keeps a constant eye on the relationship between the media and social issues and to what extent the media reflects and corrects social behaviour, whether of an individual or of a group or community.
With the aim of enhancing awareness of this extremely sensitive and important issue, Uks, after thorough research compiled the report which in particular focused on the plight of women who were effected by natural disasters in the country.
Accordingly, this year’s desk diary looks at the dilemma of women through the eyes of the media, how and to what extent the editors, columnists, reporters, photographers and cartoonists acknowledged and took up the sufferings of women as a major issue after disasters.
Uks also kept a constant eye on the relationship between the media and social issues and the extent to which the media reflects and corrects social behaviour. The diary also highlights the media’s role in helping these women by bringing their issues to the attention of the public. People belonging to different sectors of society ranging from the print and electronic media, civil society, NGOs were present on the occasion.
The launch began with an introduction of Uks and the 2014 Diary. Uks Director Tasneem Ahmar spoke about each year’s desk diary being based on a particular theme that ranges from women and politics, health, education and entrepreneurship.
She also spoke of the extensive research that goes into the making of this diary every year and explained how this handy document gives a well-rounded view of the theme for a particular year, essentially related to women development.
Tasneem expressed her concern over the lack of space given to news on the issue of women in the media and said, “The main focus of the diary is to bring out to the public what the media has reported on women and disasters and also to emphasise that the media needs to report on disaster/crisis issues with a gender lens.” A documentary by Samar Minallah titled ‘Women in Conflict’ was also played during the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Tahira Abdullah, the volunteer editor of the diary, said, “The 2014 diary is yet another milestone achievement of Uks, commemorating the bravery, courage and resilience of Pakistani women.” “This is true not just in disasters and conflicts – we are always brave and resilient.”
Renowned TV anchor Asma Shirazi also addressed the participants of the launch, sharing her experiences of reporting in disaster-hit areas.
Audio clips from Uks’ vast collection of radio programmes on disaster and crisis were also played at the beginning of the ceremony, which was accompanied by a slide presentation.
