Government plans to set up media university: Firdous

The government is planning to set up a media university in next financial year, Firdous Ashiq Awan, Federal Minister for Information said during Women Journalists Convention, held here on Saturday. She said women face sexual harassment at their work places that is totally intolerable. "We should raise our voice against the atrocities women are facing when they come out of their houses to earn livelihoods," she said.
The minister said the government was making necessary arrangements to set up a media university in next financial year that would comprise two components - one would be for girls and the other for boys. "I know media persons including women are very active in presenting the facts and figures to people. Thousands of women in Pakistan are battling sexual harassment at workplaces as well as on the streets. The government will pay full attention towards implementation of gender mainstreaming laws," the minister said. Self-regulatory system must be revolved for media and the recommendations must be implemented in consultation with APNS and CPNE, she said.
Women journalists must establish a forum and after legislation, a proper law must be enacted to implement it throughout the country, she said. "Women media associations must also be formed. These media associations and political authorities must have liaison so that the demands of the female journalists may reach the government," Firdous added.
Other participants of the Women Journalists Convention included Afzal Butt, President National Press Club, Islamabad, Anisa Haroon, NCSW Chairman and Dr Fouzia Saeed, Chairperson, AASHA Organisation. The participants stressed the need to find out solutions to stop women discrimination and harassment. They said sexual harassment is a form of illegal employment discrimination in many countries.
They emphasise that men must be stopped taking women as ornaments. They said there is a dire need to have a change in the behaviour of young men and women of our country. Afzal Butt said the demands of the female journalists will be discussed in the meeting of the presidents of all regional press clubs and recommendations of females will be implemented across the country. He demanded of the government to set up an entertainment club and reserve separate floor for females.
He said three amendments would be made in the laws of the press clubs of Karachi, Lahore and Multan. Written assurance with regard to job security must be given to female journalists, Afzal added. Dr Fouzia Saeed said an NGO has sent circular to the media organisations to constitute committees on gender mainstreaming, however, no implementation has been witnessed on law of 'sexual harassment at work place.'
She said if a female journalist intends to register complaint in the police station she feels harassment from police officials. The functionaries must be sensitised regarding gender empowerment. Anees Haroon, the National Commission for Status of Women said female journalists face morality issues, harassment and discrimination in the field.