Terming the possible fall as to be very unfortunate which would taint the historical progress made by the country earlier, Sancharika Samuha has warned that that women in media and others would not let it happen. [break]
Even though the country made historic progress by ensuring 33 percent women´s participation in the last CA, experts have warned of much fall in the figure if alternatives are not considered.
The reason for the fall has been attributed to the proposed electoral system based on proportional representation (PR) in the upcoming election, which will account for only 50 percent instead of 58 percent last time.
Other declarations include 33 percent participation of women also in the media houses on the basis of the ideology of inclusiveness. The lack of enough women in the media and top political and decision making level results in discriminatory policy and plans against women, the document says.
Similarly, in light of casual attack on and even murder of journalists, the declaration demands the government to take serious steps to ensure security of media persons and carry out fair investigation of such cases. “The government should come up with necessary policies to look into the cases of attacked and murdered journalists. Foremost, it should guarantee safety and security of journalists,” the document reads.
On its declaration, Sancharika Samuha expresses its commitment to consistently fight for the rights and of women journalists and enhance their professional quality and help empower them. It also demands implementation of the Working Journalists Act in all media houses. Expressing serious concern over the cases of discrimination against women journalists in several workplaces, Sancharika Samuha has demanded in its declaration that all media houses follow certain guideline to make the workplace women friendly. It also demands investigation and special packages regarding the conflict-hit women journalists.
The forum of women journalists also expresses its commitment to further expand itself to bring all the women journalists in the country to bring under one umbrella, build their capacity and empower them. The declaration is Sancharika Samuha´s strategic plan for 5 years.
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