ISLAMABAD: Australian High Commission and Centre for Excellence in Journalism organised workshop for media professionals linked to 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women.  According to press statement issued by Australian High Commission here, this is third time Australian High Commission has supported workshop on this topic.

Workshops aim to provide training to journalists on gender-sensitive, ethical and respectful reporting on violence against women. Australia’s High Commissioner Neil Hawkins highlighted importance of gender equality and how societies that value women and men as equal are safer and healthier. He said Australia is strongly committed to being at forefront of efforts to empower women and girls and promote gender equality around world, including here in Pakistan. He said gender-based violence is shared challenge and it remains most pervasive human rights violation around world.

Hawkins said unfortunately, prevalence is increasing as result of intersecting crises of climate change, global conflict and economic instability. He said crises like floods that inundated much of country in August, increase vulnerability of women and girls to many forms of violence. “Role of media is critical in making this happen. Media has power to create awareness of rights, needs and vulnerabilities of women and girls, as well as challenging traditional social and cultural norms and attitudes that condone violence against women,” Hawkins added. Renowned Australian journalist and advocate for gender equity Virginia Haussegger is joining top Pakistani journalists Amber Shamsi, Zarar Kohhro and legal expert Sara Malkhani in workshops.

Haussegger said, “Gender based violence is endemic across all nations and in all communities. As journalists it is our job to shine light on systemic failures to keep women safe.” Trainer Amber Shamsi shared, “Unlike theft, fraud or other petty crimes, gender-based violence is intersectional.” Journalists reporting on women rights, including news editors from across Pakistan’s mainstream media attended workshop.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 29 2022

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