Voices of resilience: Women journalists defy norms in GB
Sehrish Kanwal
Gilgit: Kiran Qasim, a journalist based in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), published a critical story on corruption during the tenure of a former chief minister in 2022. The series of events that ensued are a grim reminder of how women journalists, especially in a conservative region such as GB, brave their work in the face of adversity.
“Following [the publication of] my story, government officials arrived at my office to threaten me,” Qasim recalls, “They filed false complaints against me.”
GB, beyond its pristine views for tourists, is graven with a range of political, economic, and environmental challenges. However, these issues remain largely unexplored by mainstream media, which typically shifts focus to the region only during election periods.
As a result, everyday struggles of locals often fall by the wayside. The situation is particularly dismal for women, owing to a plethora of conservative restraints rooted in the cultural and societal norms prevalent in the region. Be it education or professional work, serious challenges continue to persist for women.
Despite having approximately 36 active newspapers and a lively press community, journalism in GB is still predominantly male-driven. Only a small group of women — about seven to eight — work in media, primarily as freelancers at digital platforms.
![Voices of resilience: Women journalists defy norms in GBSehrish Kanwal Kiran Qasim, a journalist based in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), published a critical story on corruption during the tenure of a former chief minister in 2022. The series of events that ensued are a grim reminder of how women journalists, especially in a conservative region such as GB, brave their work in the face of adversity. “Following [the publication of] my story, government officials arrived at my office to threaten me,” Qasim recalls, “They filed false complaints against me.” GB, beyond its pristine views for tourists, is graven with a range of political, economic, and environmental challenges. However, these issues remain largely unexplored by mainstream media, which typically shifts focus to the region only during election periods. As a result, everyday struggles of locals often fall by the wayside. The situation is particularly dismal for women, owing to a plethora of conservative restraints rooted in the cultural and societal norms prevalent in the region. Be it education or professional work, serious challenges continue to persist for women. Despite having approximately 36 active newspapers and a lively press community, journalism in GB is still predominantly male-driven. Only a small group of women — about seven to eight — work in media, primarily as freelancers at digital platforms. Among them, Qasim is the only woman in a leadership position, serving as the bureau chief at a newspaper called “Ausaf” in Gilgit, alongside another senior journalist, Shereen Karim, who is leading the bureau at a digital platform called “We News”. There are three to four young women journalists who are running their own digital platforms in the region. Although GB has 10 press clubs located various districts, including Gilgit, Astore, Nagar, Hunza, Skardu, Kharmang, Ghanche, Shigar, Diamer, and Ghizer, only two — Central Press Club Gilgit and the Hunza Press Club — include three and two members, respectively. According to the press club’s President Mr Wazir Muzaffar in Skardu, no women journalists are associated with the press club or journalist union. “We received only one application back in 2021, and after 6 months the lady withdrew her application.” Only two women are registered with The Gilgit Union of Journalists, he added. The highly conservative culture in GB poses an array of obstacles for women in the media. Familial and societal pressures often discourage women from pursuing journalism, with family members fearing the attention and exposure that comes with the turf. Khursheed Ahmed, president of the Central Press Club in Gilgit, says, “Many women with journalism degrees choose other paths due to family resistance and cultural stigma.” A journalism student from Karakoram International University laments scarce resources and dearth of opportunities. She says, “Lack of resources and professional opportunities, combined with family pressures, hold many of us back from entering the media field.” A young journalist, who requested not to be named, underscores the need for safety trainings, legal safeguards, and reliable networking in order for women to pursue their journalistic aspirations. “Young women and journalists in Gilgit face physical, psychosocial, and digital safety challenges,” she says. “Societal pressures, and online threats limit their freedom and opportunities.” Another emerging journalist cites the discouraging attitude of established male senior journalists in the field, who fear they might be replaced by younger journalists in the organizations they are serving. Since opportunities are already scarce, this creates a sense of insecurity and alienation. “This uncertainty creates many problems to emerging journalists in the field as they [the seniors] are trying to create obstacles in our way, and their attitude discourages new ones.” Financial instability is another barrier for women journalists in the region. With limited income from digital and freelance work, women journalists struggle to support themselves, let alone secure resources needed to produce impactful stories. In mainstream media, outstation reporters are often underpaid, which further worsens their financial constraints. One journalist from Hunza says, “Media outlets expect us to work for free, offering only press cards and logos. Without proper compensation or resources, it’s impossible to maintain quality work.” In a region where public transport is scant, women journalists in GB face mobility hindrances in field reporting. Traveling for assignments becomes a safety concern, with many women facing harassment during transit. “The lack of general public awareness about journalism’s role further complicates field reporting for women, as they face judgment and harassment while on the job,” Karim notes. “It's been very expensive and concerning when we travel long distances for stories, and the lack of resources only worsens it.” The general attitude towards women journalists in public is yet another reason why women are hesitant or are held back from taking up journalism as a profession. A woman traveling alone is viewed as a taboo, eliciting discouraging attitudes from people. “Our culture does not encourage women to travel solo, especially when we have to stay [somewhere for an assignment] or go to far flung areas,” a journalist says on the condition of anonymity. “Sometimes we even have to take our father or brother along with us when going to cover a story in the main market areas.” Initially, it had been a challenge for women journalists, but over time, they have been inured to the exposure and unwarranted attention that the profession entails. “On-ground realities are very different from what we learn in the universities or hear about journalism,” the journalist says. “Many of us think of the media as a ‘luxury life’, but it is not actually.” Female journalists in GB are frequently targeted with harassment online, particularly on social media. Journalist Muheen Zaman notes, “Social media harassment is one of the most difficult aspects of this profession for women.” She explains that new journalists are often driven out of the field due to the intensity of these attacks. Karim, on the other hand, shares, “Whenever we publish stories that go against [popular] public opinion, we face accusations of bias or bribery. People send in abusive messages and hurl baseless accusations.” Women covering sensitive topics, such as human rights violations, are often labeled as promoting foreign agendas, drawing trolling and personal attacks online. “Sometimes it is very hurtful and upsetting when we by heart produce a story with research, facts and figures; we contribute our time, resources and dedication to it and, in the end, we face abusive language in comments from the public or biased parties.” Israruddin Israr, chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in Gilgit, highlights that the region lacks dedicated networks or forums for women journalists to address their specific challenges. “Trolling and harassment are common, yet no specialized organization exists to support women journalists,” he says. While legal protections theoretically address workplace harassment and discrimination, many women journalists remain unaware of these rights, or they avoid using them due to societal stigma. Lawyer Irshad Malik advocates for women journalists to connect with national journalist associations and NGOs focused on women’s rights. “Support networks and legal awareness are crucial for women to navigate these challenges,” he says. The challenges faced by women journalists in GB are deeply rooted in cultural, financial, and social factors. Press clubs, local administrations, and legal institutions must take proactive steps to support women journalists. Providing resources, legal support, and safe working environments will empower these journalists to overcome the barriers that are impeding their growth and equal representation in the news media industry. Their voices are essential for broadening public discourse and challenging the traditional norms that limit gender equity in the media, paving the way toward a more inclusive and balanced media landscape in GB.](https://thepenpk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Kiran22.jpeg)
Kiran Qasim, while covering a protest in GB: Photo Credit – Kiran Qasim
Among them, Qasim is the only woman in a leadership position, serving as the bureau chief at a newspaper called “Ausaf” in Gilgit, alongside another senior journalist, Shereen Karim, who is leading the bureau at a digital platform called “We News”. There are three to four young women journalists who are running their own digital platforms in the region.
Although GB has 10 press clubs located various districts, including Gilgit, Astore, Nagar, Hunza, Skardu, Kharmang, Ghanche, Shigar, Diamer, and Ghizer, only two — Central Press Club Gilgit and the Hunza Press Club — include three and two members, respectively.
According to the press club’s President Mr Wazir Muzaffar in Skardu, no women journalists are associated with the press club or journalist union. “We received only one application back in 2021, and after 6 months the lady withdrew her application.” Only two women are registered with The Gilgit Union of Journalists, he added.
The highly conservative culture in GB poses an array of obstacles for women in the media. Familial and societal pressures often discourage women from pursuing journalism, with family members fearing the attention and exposure that comes with the turf.
Khursheed Ahmed, president of the Central Press Club in Gilgit, says, “Many women with journalism degrees choose other paths due to family resistance and cultural stigma.” A journalism student from Karakoram International University laments scarce resources and dearth of opportunities. She says, “Lack of resources and professional opportunities, combined with family pressures, hold many of us back from entering the media field.”
Young journalists Sehrish Kanwal and Seema Iqbal (late) covering an event in GB. Photo Credit: Sehrish Kanwal.
A young journalist, who requested not to be named, underscores the need for safety trainings, legal safeguards, and reliable networking in order for women to pursue their journalistic aspirations.
“Young women and journalists in Gilgit face physical, psychosocial, and digital safety challenges,” she says. “Societal pressures, and online threats limit their freedom and opportunities.”
Another emerging journalist cites the discouraging attitude of established male senior journalists in the field, who fear they might be replaced by younger journalists in the organizations they are serving.
Since opportunities are already scarce, this creates a sense of insecurity and alienation. “This uncertainty creates many problems to emerging journalists in the field as they [the seniors] are trying to create obstacles in our way, and their attitude discourages new ones.”
Financial instability is another barrier for women journalists in the region. With limited income from digital and freelance work, women journalists struggle to support themselves, let alone secure resources needed to produce impactful stories.
In mainstream media, outstation reporters are often underpaid, which further worsens their financial constraints. One journalist from Hunza says, “Media outlets expect us to work for free, offering only press cards and logos. Without proper compensation or resources, it’s impossible to maintain quality work.”
In a region where public transport is scant, women journalists in GB face mobility hindrances in field reporting. Traveling for assignments becomes a safety concern, with many women facing harassment during transit.
“The lack of general public awareness about journalism’s role further complicates field reporting for women, as they face judgment and harassment while on the job,” Karim notes. “It’s been very expensive and concerning when we travel long distances for stories, and the lack of resources only worsens it.” ![Voices of resilience: Women journalists defy norms in GB Sehrish Kanwal Kiran Qasim, a journalist based in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), published a critical story on corruption during the tenure of a former chief minister in 2022. The series of events that ensued are a grim reminder of how women journalists, especially in a conservative region such as GB, brave their work in the face of adversity. “Following [the publication of] my story, government officials arrived at my office to threaten me,” Qasim recalls, “They filed false complaints against me.” GB, beyond its pristine views for tourists, is graven with a range of political, economic, and environmental challenges. However, these issues remain largely unexplored by mainstream media, which typically shifts focus to the region only during election periods. As a result, everyday struggles of locals often fall by the wayside. The situation is particularly dismal for women, owing to a plethora of conservative restraints rooted in the cultural and societal norms prevalent in the region. Be it education or professional work, serious challenges continue to persist for women. Despite having approximately 36 active newspapers and a lively press community, journalism in GB is still predominantly male-driven. Only a small group of women — about seven to eight — work in media, primarily as freelancers at digital platforms. Among them, Qasim is the only woman in a leadership position, serving as the bureau chief at a newspaper called “Ausaf” in Gilgit, alongside another senior journalist, Shereen Karim, who is leading the bureau at a digital platform called “We News”. There are three to four young women journalists who are running their own digital platforms in the region. Although GB has 10 press clubs located various districts, including Gilgit, Astore, Nagar, Hunza, Skardu, Kharmang, Ghanche, Shigar, Diamer, and Ghizer, only two — Central Press Club Gilgit and the Hunza Press Club — include three and two members, respectively. According to the press club’s President Mr Wazir Muzaffar in Skardu, no women journalists are associated with the press club or journalist union. “We received only one application back in 2021, and after 6 months the lady withdrew her application.” Only two women are registered with The Gilgit Union of Journalists, he added. The highly conservative culture in GB poses an array of obstacles for women in the media. Familial and societal pressures often discourage women from pursuing journalism, with family members fearing the attention and exposure that comes with the turf. Khursheed Ahmed, president of the Central Press Club in Gilgit, says, “Many women with journalism degrees choose other paths due to family resistance and cultural stigma.” A journalism student from Karakoram International University laments scarce resources and dearth of opportunities. She says, “Lack of resources and professional opportunities, combined with family pressures, hold many of us back from entering the media field.” A young journalist, who requested not to be named, underscores the need for safety trainings, legal safeguards, and reliable networking in order for women to pursue their journalistic aspirations. “Young women and journalists in Gilgit face physical, psychosocial, and digital safety challenges,” she says. “Societal pressures, and online threats limit their freedom and opportunities.” Another emerging journalist cites the discouraging attitude of established male senior journalists in the field, who fear they might be replaced by younger journalists in the organizations they are serving. Since opportunities are already scarce, this creates a sense of insecurity and alienation. “This uncertainty creates many problems to emerging journalists in the field as they [the seniors] are trying to create obstacles in our way, and their attitude discourages new ones.” Financial instability is another barrier for women journalists in the region. With limited income from digital and freelance work, women journalists struggle to support themselves, let alone secure resources needed to produce impactful stories. In mainstream media, outstation reporters are often underpaid, which further worsens their financial constraints. One journalist from Hunza says, “Media outlets expect us to work for free, offering only press cards and logos. Without proper compensation or resources, it’s impossible to maintain quality work.” In a region where public transport is scant, women journalists in GB face mobility hindrances in field reporting. Traveling for assignments becomes a safety concern, with many women facing harassment during transit. “The lack of general public awareness about journalism’s role further complicates field reporting for women, as they face judgment and harassment while on the job,” Karim notes. “It's been very expensive and concerning when we travel long distances for stories, and the lack of resources only worsens it.” The general attitude towards women journalists in public is yet another reason why women are hesitant or are held back from taking up journalism as a profession. A woman traveling alone is viewed as a taboo, eliciting discouraging attitudes from people. “Our culture does not encourage women to travel solo, especially when we have to stay [somewhere for an assignment] or go to far flung areas,” a journalist says on the condition of anonymity. “Sometimes we even have to take our father or brother along with us when going to cover a story in the main market areas.” Initially, it had been a challenge for women journalists, but over time, they have been inured to the exposure and unwarranted attention that the profession entails. “On-ground realities are very different from what we learn in the universities or hear about journalism,” the journalist says. “Many of us think of the media as a ‘luxury life’, but it is not actually.” Female journalists in GB are frequently targeted with harassment online, particularly on social media. Journalist Muheen Zaman notes, “Social media harassment is one of the most difficult aspects of this profession for women.” She explains that new journalists are often driven out of the field due to the intensity of these attacks. Karim, on the other hand, shares, “Whenever we publish stories that go against [popular] public opinion, we face accusations of bias or bribery. People send in abusive messages and hurl baseless accusations.” Women covering sensitive topics, such as human rights violations, are often labeled as promoting foreign agendas, drawing trolling and personal attacks online. “Sometimes it is very hurtful and upsetting when we by heart produce a story with research, facts and figures; we contribute our time, resources and dedication to it and, in the end, we face abusive language in comments from the public or biased parties.” Israruddin Israr, chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in Gilgit, highlights that the region lacks dedicated networks or forums for women journalists to address their specific challenges. “Trolling and harassment are common, yet no specialized organization exists to support women journalists,” he says. While legal protections theoretically address workplace harassment and discrimination, many women journalists remain unaware of these rights, or they avoid using them due to societal stigma. Lawyer Irshad Malik advocates for women journalists to connect with national journalist associations and NGOs focused on women’s rights. “Support networks and legal awareness are crucial for women to navigate these challenges,” he says. The challenges faced by women journalists in GB are deeply rooted in cultural, financial, and social factors. Press clubs, local administrations, and legal institutions must take proactive steps to support women journalists. Providing resources, legal support, and safe working environments will empower these journalists to overcome the barriers that are impeding their growth and equal representation in the news media industry. Their voices are essential for broadening public discourse and challenging the traditional norms that limit gender equity in the media, paving the way toward a more inclusive and balanced media landscape in GB.](https://thepenpk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/kiran6.png)
A group of women journalists meeting in GB. Photo Credit: Kiran Qasim (Instagram).
The general attitude towards women journalists in public is yet another reason why women are hesitant or are held back from taking up journalism as a profession. A woman traveling alone is viewed as a taboo, eliciting discouraging attitudes from people.
“Our culture does not encourage women to travel solo, especially when we have to stay [somewhere for an assignment] or go to far flung areas,” a journalist says on the condition of anonymity. “Sometimes we even have to take our father or brother along with us when going to cover a story in the main market areas.”
Initially, it had been a challenge for women journalists, but over time, they have been inured to the exposure and unwarranted attention that the profession entails.
“On-ground realities are very different from what we learn in the universities or hear about journalism,” the journalist says. “Many of us think of the media as a ‘luxury life’, but it is not actually.”
Female journalists in GB are frequently targeted with harassment online, particularly on social media. Journalist Muheen Zaman notes, “Social media harassment is one of the most difficult aspects of this profession for women.” She explains that new journalists are often driven out of the field due to the intensity of these attacks.
Karim, on the other hand, shares, “Whenever we publish stories that go against [popular] public opinion, we face accusations of bias or bribery. People send in abusive messages and hurl baseless accusations.”
Senior journalist Shereen Karim filming an interview. Photo Credit: Sehrish Kenwal.
Women covering sensitive topics, such as human rights violations, are often labeled as promoting foreign agendas, drawing trolling and personal attacks online.A group of women journalists in a meeting. Photo Credit: Kiran Qasim (Instagram).
“Sometimes it is very hurtful and upsetting when we by heart produce a story with research, facts and figures; we contribute our time, resources and dedication to it and, in the end, we face abusive language in comments from the public or biased parties.”
Israruddin Israr, chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in Gilgit, highlights that the region lacks dedicated networks or forums for women journalists to address their specific challenges.
“Trolling and harassment are common, yet no specialized organization exists to support women journalists,” he says. While legal protections theoretically address workplace harassment and discrimination, many women journalists remain unaware of these rights, or they avoid using them due to societal stigma.
Lawyer Irshad Malik advocates for women journalists to connect with national journalist associations and NGOs focused on women’s rights. “Support networks and legal awareness are crucial for women to navigate these challenges,” he says.
The challenges faced by women journalists in GB are deeply rooted in cultural, financial, and social factors. Press clubs, local administrations, and legal institutions must take proactive steps to support women journalists.
Providing resources, legal support, and safe working environments will empower these journalists to overcome the barriers that are impeding their growth and equal representation in the news media industry.
Their voices are essential for broadening public discourse and challenging the traditional norms that limit gender equity in the media, paving the way toward a more inclusive and balanced media landscape in GB.
All the information provided in this report is the sole responsibility of the reporter.
Sehrish Kanwal is a young journalist and documentary filmmaker from Gilgit-Baltistan with a gold medal in media and communication studies from KIU.
