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What challenges face female journalists in your region?

Posted on: 05/03/2010 Women Region: Worldwide

As we mark International Women's Day 2010, women throughout the world are leveraging their power as leaders in journalism, and paving the way for a future where girls feel empowered to join the profession.

But challenges still exist, including balancing community and family life with the demands of a time-consuming profession, and navigating the touchy landscape of gender stereotypes that exists in many societies.

What's more, many feel that issues surrounding women and girls remain underreported. In a March 5 statement, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) called on media owners "to take steps to raise women's profile in the news, both as professionals and as news topics."

What challenges do you or other female journalists in your region face? What successes have you seen for women?

Comments

Submitted on: 08/03/2010 — IJNet User

Всех женщин поздравляю с 8 Марта! И забудьте сегодня о проблемах!

Submitted on: 08/03/2010 — IJNet User

وضع المرأة الصحفية في العالم العربي سيء للغاية
فهي محرومة من المناصب القيادية التي يستحوذ عليها الرجل
ومرفوضة اجتماعيا.. خاصة في مسائل الزواج
ومضطهدة مهنيا من المصادر الذي ينظرون لها بدونية مقارنة بالصحفي الرجل
التحديات كثيرة.. والصحفيات نستطيع ان نقول عنهن مناضلات في ظل هذه المعوقات

Submitted on: 09/03/2010 — IJNet User

Female journalist in our country , no matter how educated they are, most of them are not in senior or managerial position, men are always on top of them. Sometimes female journalist are taken as whores by some people

Submitted on: 09/03/2010 — IJNet User

When I joined the profession, the best assignments in political and business reporting eluded us women. The excuse generally was-it will require us to work late, and was hence unsuitable for us. Even when I had managed to break the ice and buildup contacts with certain parties that had earlier shunned my newspaper, I was never allowed to attend the most crucial press conferences. These were reserved for the males. Today,a lot has changed. Newspaper editors are willing to give space to gender issues; and there are a good number of females on newspaper beats. Yet, one finds a lot of prejudiced opinions against women finding their way to print. There is a dire need to sensitize both men and women who enter the profession to ensure balanced reporting.

Rina Mukherji
Kolkata.INDIA

Submitted on: 09/03/2010 — IJNet User

I am reporter, working in a English daily published from Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. I would like to share some specific issues about women journalists working in Bangladesh. In print media - we are working in quite best atmosphere, rather then electronic media's female journalists. It is learned from them (electronic media's female journalists) that in many cases their boss does not behave as a colleague, still they try to judge them as a women.

Most cases, chief reporters/assignment editors (almost everyone are male) does not assigned them something special/important or significant reports. They still assigns soft stories, day's events, or something light events. But a male journalists get the preference to get a significant assignments, stories which might be lead stories.

But the interesting point is that, many female journalist in our country now protesting this kind of attitudes and they are getting serious kind of assignment after fighting with their bosses.

In Bangladesh, this is very new phenomenon to appoint female journalists in electronic media, However, critics pointed that as female is more attractive then male in electronic media, so the media owners appoints the female journalists to attract audiecnes.

About 15 percent female journalists are now in country's 11 state and privately run TV channels.

On the other hand, in print media, we are very few female reporters are now working which any working journalists can count within 10 minutes.

There are some other sector of the media where female are more visible then reporting like hazardous and glamorous job for unknown reason.

I would life to share a interesting things that we 50 students of Mass Communication and Journalism department, University of Dhaka in the session of 1995-96, we was about 50 and half of them was female students. But only I am working as reporter and one of two of my female friends working in desk with full of dissatisfaction as they also want to work as reporter but their family did not allowed them. More interesting that one of these friend's husband was also studied with us and he stooped her to work in reporting section of a newspaper!!!.

So, there are so many social taboo and religious prejudices that mainly restricted us to work in the area of journalism especially in reporting.

There are some other issues which is related to salary or wages as well promotion of female journalist in the country. Most of case, media owners hardly give the promotion to the women journalists but with the same educational qualification and same working experience a male journalists getting promotion, increased their salaries/wages and increment smoothly, but the women journalists need to spend more years and strength to get promotion and the promotion never get the policy-making place for women.. There are very few women news editor, chief reporter or editor in the country...but the women started to work in this arena since 60s.

Most of them left the job with frustration. Still these situation exists in the media houses.

I always dreamed for those days when we (women) could be promoted as news editor, chief reporter, editor or some other senior posts of the media industry.

Best hope for all women in the world.

A Alpha
Staff Reporter of a English Daily newspaper in Dhaka

Submitted on: 09/03/2010 — IJNet User

مصاحبه قرار بود اختصاصی باشد. هنوز حرفمان شروع نشده بود که یک خبر نگار آقا هم وارد شد و قرار شد مصاحبه هر دومان هم زمان باشد. خبر نگار آقا با مصاحبه شونده دست داد. با او خوش و بش می کرد. وقتی سوال من را می خواست جواب بدهد سر شوخی را باز میکرد و من در طول مصاحبه فقط و فقط اعصابم جویده شد.
البته بر عکسش هم برایم پیش آمده . مصاحبه شونده ای که بیش از حد به من توجه میکند چراکه در مقابلش یک زن جوان می بیند و نه یک خبر نگار.
حالا بماند که نگاه مدیریتی در رسانه های ایران هم کاملا جنسیتی است و بسیاری از اوقات حوزه ای که مورد علاقه توست را از تو می گیرند فقط با این استدلال که کار مردانه است!
بسیاری از اوقات هم تا پشت در مراسمی که برای آن آفیش شده ای می روی و به دلایلی مثل اینکه مقنعه یا چادر سرت نیست و غیره باید دست اتز پا دراز تر برگردی.
روزنامه نگاری شغل سختی است و برای زنان سخت تر.

Submitted on: 09/03/2010 — IJNet User

Lamentablemente en Venezuela, los periodistas debemos ser abiertamente "chavistas" u "opositores" para conseguir empleo en cualquier oficina que muestre alguna tendencia polìtica. Nada de ver cosas positivas y negativas a uno y otro grupo. No vale. Te cortas las venas por alguno o no tienes trabajo.

Pierina Soledad Quintero
Periodista
Caracas- Venezuela

Submitted on: 09/03/2010 — IJNet User

well as a female journalist in Ghana, i myself have been a victim of pyisical and verbal attacks from politicains, security agencies most of the time colleagues male journalists who think there is no place for women in this profession. As for employees, the discrimination in this job is terrible. For the same job done or sometimes for more or a better job done I get less pay, no recognision and no credit at all. But instead of allwing it to kill my spirit am determined to work against all odds and make a mark in this work through affecting the lives of ordinary people. Some time though i feel like packing up and keaving because the frustration of lack of resources to work with, inadequate training amongst others kills your spirit. Becuase there as a female journalist you are written off oas no good you devote your lifetime to the work just to prove every one wrong at the expense of your private life. Whatt a shame! On this day I salute all my collague female journalist around the world fighting against worst conditions tham mine. Afia Pokuaa, Ghana

Submitted on: 10/03/2010 — IJNet User

In my region, western part of Uganda, people feel female interviewers just pose silly questions or track silly stories just because they are women, especially when and if the story is about human rights violation and involving a fellow woman being abused.
There is a case also when your immediate boss refuses to accept you as competent, this leaves you at a low level of command even when you hold an administrative post in the company setting. There is also an example where by you all go for the same train and the boys feel you shouldn't be contributing to any topic during any discussion, I saw this while at RNTC, my fellow country men did what me to contribute to any thing, rubbishing it even before they listen and yet back home they were practicing at lower level of journalism.Just the urge to be recognized as the group leaders away from home, they won't allow a women to be active.
Alice Masindi Uganda

Submitted on: 10/03/2010 — Eman

صباح الخير
مهما تحدثت عن المراة الصحفية في العراق فلن اوفيها لحقها ابدا وهذه لا تعتبر مبالغة او تشدق انما هو الواقع الذي طغى على كل مفاصل الحياة في بلدي فالمراة عموما كانت الظل الاكبر للمشاكل الاجتماعية والامنية وبالتاكيد الاقتصادية فضلا عن العادات والتقاليد الاجتماعية التي نعيشها فما بالك بالمراة الصحفية التي دفعت حياتها ثمنا لنقلها حقيقة ما او انها اصبحت رقما صعبا في الصحافة العراقية ان لم نقل العربية واعرف الكثير من الزميلات اللواتي تعرضن الى التهديد وللاسف منهن من فقدت حياتها ومنهن من هاجر الى خارج العراق
لكنني ارى الان وعلى عكس الصورة السابقة فان عدد الصحفيات العراقيات يزداد يوما بعد اخر والامر لا يقتصر على العدد انما الحرفية والمهنية التي تتبعها صحفيات في وسائل اعلام مقروءة ومسموعة ومرئية
في تناولها للخبر او اعدادها لتقارير مهمة حازت فيها على جوائز قيمة محلية ودولية
ولا ننسى ان نظرة الصحفي الرجل الى المراة وان كان يشوبها بعض التحيز الا ان التطور الاعلامي في البلد طور ايضا من نظرة المتعاملين مع المراة الصحفية وبخاصة اصحاب القرار

Submitted on: 10/03/2010 — IJNet User

i am reporter, working with the National daily express news paper (Peshawar) which published from eight big cities of pakistan and with PACT radio as a reporter + producer .the problem fced by the women in this region were estremism, norms and values and stutes of the society. extremism previling in the region are the big problm for women journalist. social value and norms of the socity confined the women to homes. the women which work out side homes are targetted by socity pysically and verbaly

ABDUL BASEER QALANDAR
REPORTER of the National daily express news paper (Peshawar) and with PACT radio as a reporter

Submitted on: 11/03/2010 — ruhullahrahimi

در کشور ما افغانستان در قدم نخست بامشکلات سنتی بودن جامعه ما مواجه می باشد وبعد با مشکلات امنیتی وجنسی وبعد تر هم مشکلات اقتصادی

Submitted on: 11/03/2010 — IJNet User

the woman journalist in yemen has many problems as a women then as a journalist
the society look at her as a bad woman , going outside free talk with men, acome home at night .
they thouth that woman is very easy to get her. their minds still closed
we sufeer as a hournalist so much . always they tell us th stop working in press
we sffer but we will go on

NAHLAL AL QADASI

Submitted on: 11/03/2010 — IJNet User

There's good opportunities in Australia for employment as a journalist, conditions are reasonable and training is available, but it's still a male dominated industry and sexism is rife.

As a freelancer, I find that female editors usually only head independent media groups, and they are, generally, more reliable and fairer employers. Male mainstream editors quite often don't give any consideration to the different needs of women as workers, the need for job security and for equal standing with the way their work is viewed and equal promotion and pay.

Submitted on: 12/03/2010 — mariam

المراة الصحفية فى غزة اخذت دورا هاما وبارزا وتحدت الصعاب وكانت جنبا الى جنب الرجل ..ولكن تبقى عقلية الرجل الشرقى مسيطره على محدودية مل المرأة وعدم الرغبه بالمرأة المنفتحه ويخشى من تعدد علاقاتها مع زملائها وذلك ينبع بعدم الثقه بالمرأة فتظل محصورة فى دائرة ضيقه وتحت المجهر من الرجل ...

ولابد ان نقول وراء كل امرأة صحفية ناجحه لابد من وجود رجل داعم لها يساعدها ويدعمها لتنجح وهذا الشىء نادر جدا ...........

Submitted on: 13/03/2010 — IJNet User

المرأة في غزة بدأت تأخذ دورها القيادي الفاعل وسط تفهم الجميع لقضايا النوع الاجتماعي بعد عملنا الدؤوب في برنامج الجند الممول من الاتحاد الاوروبي وتنفيذ مؤسسة كير الدولية بالشراكة مع طاقم ومركز شئون المرأة وفي العدد الاخير لصوت النساء نشرت تقريرا عن عمل المرأة القيادي في مدينة خانيونس الذي تتسم بالطابع الاجتماعي التقليدي والتقرير تحدث عن تجربة امراة فريدة تدير مدرسة لتعليم قيادة المركبات وحاصلة على شهادة مدير مهني لمركبات الشحن الخفيف

Submitted on: 14/03/2010 — IJNet User

ماذا اقول انا عن المراة الصحافية في ليبيا اعمل في هذا المجال قرابة 13 عاما و لم ادخل على مسئول في الدولة الا عرض على دنائته وخبثه فالرجل عندنا مازال ينظر للمراة على انها انثى ما خلقت الا لشيء واحد وكذلك الحال بالنسبة للصحفية التي تخرج وتذهب الى اي مكان وفثي وقت من اليوم فهم يظنونها لقمة صائغة سهلة الابتلاع ولكن اقف لهم وقفة حتى انهم عندما يرونني في مكان لا يستطيعون رفع رؤوسهم من الخجل والخوف ، ولابد للصحفية ان تكون كذلك .
وهناك صعوبات وصعوبات عديدة لا يسع المكان لذكرها ، اضافة الى اننا لا ناخذ حقنا المادي كاملا وعندما تتكلم الواحدة يخرجون لها الف عذر وعذر اقبح من اخيه المرتبات ضعيفة اصلا وهم يزيدونها بالخصومات التي لا يبرورنها .
ماذا حققت ؟ لا ادري هل حققت شئيا خلال تلك السنوات ؟ لا ادري اظن انني لم احقق شئيا لنفسي و لا للدولة لم احقق سوى سماعي لاهات المقهورين واحاول عن انفس عنهم كربهم وشدتهم وبؤسهم بالكلام فقط لا غير .
والله المستعان .

Submitted on: 16/03/2010 — IJNet User

In Zambia the situation is different, female journalist who are the majority in the profession are the happiest and are enjoying the profession. male journalist actually are likely to receive verbal or physical attacks than the females ones. here tables are upside down. Joe Nkadaani, Lusaka Zambia

Submitted on: 16/03/2010 — IJNet User

in my country, women more and more are intergrated into the profession without any major obstacle. however, in every domain there must be some difficulties and challenges Some Women journalists in Cameroon suffer from discrimination in their newsrooms, especially in private media organs. somany of them suffer from sexual threats from their male colleagues. those in some institutions equally suffer from sexual harasement from their employers and...Other female journalists just cultivate a lazy attitute which exposes them to professional difficulties.
There is much to be said about the dignity and the respect of female journalists in Cameroon.
Paul Ndemaloah

Submitted on: 16/03/2010 — IJNet User

As a female journalist in Indonesia and having more than 20 years broadcasting experience, I myself have been a victim of 'office politic'. Male journalists think there is no place for women to express opinion and to implement the ability in managing people/staff. Boss said, "If you agree with me, follow my rules. But if you disagree, you'd better play outside". And I recently decided to change career as a broadcast journalism trainer. May GOD bless my decision.

Submitted on: 16/03/2010 — IJNet User

المراة الصحفية هي مراة التي يضرب بها المثل علي الرغم من اللدين لايعيرون اي اهتمام للمراة الصحفية فهي الوسيلة والاداة والمتلقي والملقي في نفس الوقت فهي المناضل والمجاهد الدي يخوض المعارك من اجل ايصال المعلومة الصحيحة وتلك الكلمات والاشاعات المستوحات علي المراة الصحفية ماخودة من الجهال والمتشديد ين ودلك راجع لنقص المعرفي لهده الفئة بصفة انظر بمنظار ثاقب لما توصلت لهده المعرفة

Submitted on: 17/03/2010 — IJNet User

Male Kannada journalists harass women journalists in Parts of Karnataka state in India. Some of the media house publish English and Kannada newspapers. In this offices male kannada journalist English female journalists. I have noticed many women journalist left the field because of their harassment. Harassment is not of physical nature. But, they make life dificult for women reporters. And, These male reporters belongs to one particular community of caste hindus..

Sahana , Mangalore

Submitted on: 17/03/2010 — IJNet User

The Tanzania female journalist they facing is confidence, because most of them they don’t realize that they can make a difference in the entire country.

Submitted on: 19/03/2010 — Menfis

En Cuba, nuestra situación es bien diferente. Las mujeres tenemos amplia oportunidad de participar en todo, incluso de ocupar cargos y dirigir medios de prensa. Nuestro reto es el de la mayoría de las periodistas en el mundo, lograr el equilibrio entre los rigores de la profesión y la estabilidad familiar. También acá se nos hace un poco trabajoso porque durante décadas los hombres han preservado muchas posiciones machistas. Pero, legalmente, gozamos de todos los derechos como féminas en el ejercicio del periodismo.

MENFESÍ EVERSLEY SILVA
Periodista - Cuba

Submitted on: 23/03/2010 — مريود

المرأة الصحفية السودانية تمثل نموزجا جيدا للصحفيات العربيات فهى تشارك بصوره أكبروتتفاعل مع كل القضايا السوداينة المطروحة على الساحة ولاتوجد هناك أى قيود أوتمييز يمارس على المرأة الصحفية السودانية فهى تمثل ركنا أساسيا فى العمل الصحفى والإعلامى ولاتوجد صيفة سودانية الا وبها عدد لايستهان به من الصحفيات وهذه نعمة توجب الشكر

Submitted on: 24/03/2010 — IJNet User

المرأة الفلسطينية تعاني الذل والقهر في ممارسة مهنة الصحافة خصوصا في غزة..ولدي فيلم وثائقي قصير يصف جميع الممارسات القمعية ضد الصحفيات الفلسطينيات في غزة على وجه التحديد.
foreverfreedom100@hotmail.com

Submitted on: 01/04/2010 — IJNet User

همه مشکلات روزنامه نگاران ایرانی را در نظر بگیرید و زن بودن را به آن اضافه کنید. نگاه جنسیت زده، پر از تبعیض، لبخندهای خنک و معنی دار ....

Submitted on: 19/04/2010 — IJNet User

Male Kannada journalists harass women journalists in Parts of Karnataka state in India. Some of the media house publish English and Kannada newspapers ogm form matbaa ogm

Submitted on: 20/04/2010 — IJNet User

Until near past, Media used to be a NO GO AREA for women. Only a very small number of females turned to this profession and those who dared to adopt it, were usually limited to the coverage of gender related issues only. But now, the situation has changed significantly, more and more females are coming to this profession but traditionally male dominated Pakistani society is not giving them proper space. Females journalists are not treated equal to male employees. They are taken as an opportunity rather than a colleague. Their sense of news is always doubted upon and they are usually considered to be show pieces. Physical and mental abuse of female media persons is common but most of such incidents are not reported.
Awais Hameed
Producer
Express News TV
Pakistan

Submitted on: 29/04/2010 — muktidoothblognews

Bangladeshi Best News Channel is Banned.

Two days before (April 27,2010) Bangladeshi News Channel as named “One Channel” is banned by the government. Reliable source says the television channel is one of the best news service provider, where are linked more than (100) hundred newsmen and technicians, decision taken by the high officials of the government, reason of “Political Conflicts” wherever, no democratic government has right to take like this steps to stopping towards media world. Bangladesh Tele Communication Regulatory Commission BTRC explained that television channel authority mortgaged their equipments & machinery to a local bank, took loan and not refunded. That is why they claimed to BTRC & thus the channel is stopped by the government along with its whole staffs. Opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia opposed for such dictating & aggressive decision made by the present government. The television channel employees urged humbly to re-cover their living jobs and their family to the Tele Communication Minister and concerns.

(Source: MASHIK BANGLA MUKTIDOOTH)
Editor (http;//themonthlymuktidooth.blgospot.com)

Submitted on: 24/05/2010 — IJNet User

Спросите лучше, с какими проблемами журналисты НЕ сталкиваются:(

Submitted on: 11/06/2010 — IJNet User

المرأة في الوطن العربي مازالت تعامل كالبقرة فكيف لو كانت صحفية ؟والله انا مظاومة اني في بلد عربي وامارس مهنة الصحافة

Submitted on: 23/06/2010 — IJNet User

الصحفيات في العراق مغتصبات؟ولكن بشكل غير معلن حيث انها مغتصبة من قبل الرجل والمجتمع هي ضحية وخاصة في العراق للاسف نعمل كصحفيات وذلك بغية منا لنقل حقيقة تدفعنا عاطفة وجراة ولكن لن نطول اما ان نقتل او نهرب ونهاجر حتى من قبل اهالينا اصبحنا ضحية هذا واقع حالي رغم كل جراة التي كنت امتلكها لكنني اصبحت ضحية للدين وللمجتمع فلولا قيود والدي بي ورضائهم عني لتركي العمل ورضائهم لكي اكون ملزمة بحدود ديني وهكذا مع تهديدات ومع ملامة مجتمع ومع ضمائر الغير حية للمسؤولين في كركوك العراق تركت بلدي وحرمت من العمل ورغم الانجازات التي ضحيت بها انهدم كل شئ وهكذا انهدمت من داخلي وبهدوء وبدون صراخ وانين الالم يلاحقني....

Submitted on: 25/06/2010 — IJNet User

I am working since 1992 as journalist. When I join media as photojournalist my friends and my colleagues criticized me and said to me that you are female and you can not work as photojournalist in the field. I am living in man or male dominating culture and country where female haven’t freedom to work in journalism. I accepted this profession as a challenge and mission and prove my self as good women photojournalist in this society. In my country without permission of male we can not move and do any thing. Male journalists don’t like me and my work, they criticize me all the time during my work and they think that journalism specially photo and video journalism has no place for female to work and express their feeling and sharing their thoughts. Photojournalism is very challenging profession and female not suitable for it. Male journalist believes that female can’t hold camera and carry this profession. They consider that she should stay at home as housewife. Women haven’t strength for this profession.
Male journalists don’t give any opportunities of success to female in workplace as well. But I took this profession as challenge and Now I am good video/photojournalist and still I am only one lady photo and video journalist in Pakistan .Male photojournalist make problem for me and push me badly some time they hurt me in the field during coverage in seminars and other gathering places. I victimized from my male journalist officers and colleagues. I quit my jobs from their bad attitude and harassment. I changed many organizations due to my male colleague’s attitude.
Now I am working in electronic media as video journalist/Photojournalist and feature writer as freelance. Many time I thought to leave this profession but I love this profession. I am still facing same problem but I am struggling and working in media.

Saadia Sehar
Geo new Tv Islamabad Pakistan

Submitted on: 22/08/2010 — IJNet User

رائع جدا أن تؤخذ هذه القضية على محك النقاش .. انا ان تكلمت فسوف أصف واقع المرأة الاعلامية الفلسطينية و التي باتت تصطف جنبا الى جنب مع الصحفيين فهي دائما ما تكون في طليعة الاحداث المؤججة ، الصحفية الفلسطينية تؤمن بقدرتها على التغيير و الابداع و الخوض في الحقل الاعلامي و اظهار واقع مرير ، وهي من أجل ذلك تتحدى الواقع الاجتماعي و السياسي و تخرج الى الميدان ودليل ذلك أن معظم كليات الاعلام من الصحفيات الاناث اذ تجاوزن الذكور و يعملن جنبا الى جنب معهم .... مع كل احترامي