Poor State Of Gender In Journalism in Southern KP

Farooq Mahsud
South Waziristan: Women journalists in the southern districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are dealing with a lack of opportunities and gender discrimination, resulting in a significant shortage of women’s voices and perspectives in the media.

Many determined individuals face numerous challenges as they pursue their careers, leaving their valuable insights unheard and underrepresented.
Laila Raza, a passionate mass communication graduate from Gomal University, has faced multiple setbacks during job applications where her appearance was unfairly prioritized over her qualifications. Instances of harassment further hindered her progress, leading her to return to her hometown, Dera Ismail Khan, after a disappointing experience in Islamabad. “I dreamed of using my skills to shed light on important regional issues through television journalism. But societal attitudes and norms have made it extremely challenging for me to pursue my journalism dreams,” Raza told The PenPK.com.
She added, “I faced a distressing incident during an interview with a Pakistani TV channel. Overwhelmed by the emphasis on my appearance, I tearfully left the interview, realizing that my economic circumstances couldn’t support fruitless attempts to break into the industry.”

Laila Raza also mentioned that she tried to continue journalism in her hometown, D.I. Khan, but could not find a job in a media organization. The salaries offered by local organizations are inadequate to sustain a long-term career.

As a result, not only her, but many talented women hindered by the lack of opportunities, find alternative paths, such as working for non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
In the southern districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, women journalists face gender discrimination and limited opportunities. Many women pursue journalism degrees but struggle to start their careers as journalists. However, some women who have ventured to other cities have eventually achieved significant positions through hard work.

Farzana Ali, bureau chief of Aaj News Peshawar, hailing from D.I. Khan, is one such example. She began her career in Peshawar. It is to mention here that Farzana Ali is the first women bureau chief of any news media in KP.
Farzana Ali emphasizes that one of the main challenges women face in our society is the tradition that discourages women from working, particularly as journalists. Women working in this field are not widely accepted. Farzana added that women also encounter gender-based discrimination within media institutions.

They are often assigned less important beats, creating the false impression that women can only cover topics like education and health while other areas are considered unsuitable for them. This perception is completely incorrect, she said.

Additionally, media institutions lack proper arrangements and support for women. Furthermore, female journalists are not paid equal salaries compared to their male counterparts, which hinders their career progression in the field of journalism.
A research report released by ‘Media Matters for Democracy’ on January 31, 2023, sheds light on the challenges faced by women journalists across Pakistan. The study, which included 103 female journalists, reveals that a staggering 79 per cent reported experiencing gender-based discrimination within their media organizations. Only 18 per cent claimed to have not encountered such discrimination. Farzana Ali, bureau chief at Aaj News, is an exception, with over 25 years of experience in the history of journalism at KP. 

Additionally, 32 per cent of respondents felt that newsrooms were predominantly male-dominated, while 23% attributed discrimination to the scarcity of women in senior positions. Approximately 19 per cent of those surveyed identified the unequal distribution of opportunities as another key aspect of gender discrimination.
Aeman Sheikh, a determined journalist working for a local web channel in Dera Ismail Khan, emphasizes the limited opportunities within mainstream media institutions. Many women have turned to social media platforms to pursue their journalistic passions due to these constraints.

Despite resource limitations and significant challenges, female journalists have excelled in citizen journalism, providing invaluable perspectives despite minimal support. However, their efforts often go unrecognized, as press clubs and industry gatekeepers fail to acknowledge them as legitimate journalists, denying them official membership and hindering their professional growth.
Safiullah Gul Mehsud, the esteemed Peshawar Bureau Chief of Suno TV Channel, attributes the lack of female journalists in the southern districts to deeply ingrained cultural mindsets. Traditional beliefs often limit women to teaching, medical professions, or nursing, deeming journalism an unacceptable career choice. As a result, the number of women contributing to journalism through social media or freelancing remains disproportionately low.
Sabiha Shaikh, a journalism graduate from Gomal University, utilizes social media platforms to share news and stories from Dera Ismail Khan. However, she recounts the ongoing struggle female journalists’ face regarding their clothing choices while on assignments.

Attention often shifts from their journalistic work to superficial aspects such as attire, makeup, and mannerisms. Sabiha also highlights the minimal representation of women in institutions across the southern districts, where even when given opportunities, they are denied the privileges granted to their male counterparts.
The lack of media coverage of women’s issues in the southern districts of KP perpetuates a concerning silence surrounding gender-related challenges.

Safiullah Mehsud highlights the social taboos that prevent the inclusion of women’s voices, making it extremely challenging for male journalists to conduct interviews with women. Farzana, a seasoned journalist with a 25-year career, echoes this sentiment, citing the reluctance of men to allow their female relatives to appear on camera or be named in publications. Consequently, the already pressing problems faced by women become increasingly difficult to address and rectify.
Shahid Rahim, the country representative of the Search for Common Ground (SFCG), has actively trained journalists in nine districts of the province.

Rahim identifies religious and social constraints as the primary factors contributing to the low representation of female journalists. While women in the region actively engage on social media platforms, their involvement in mainstream media remains limited.
Imran Mehsud, the Head of the Department of Mass Communication at Gomal University, emphasizes the urgent need for increased gender sensitivity within newsrooms and press clubs. The inclusion of more women in these spaces is crucial to ensuring balanced and representative reporting.

Mehsud suggests implementing government-mandated quotas for women in media organizations and warns of consequences for those who violate these mandates, including the cancellation of media house and press club registrations.
The experiences of women journalists in the southern districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa highlight the significant obstacles they face due to gender discrimination and limited opportunities.

This results in an underrepresentation of women’s issues in the media and impedes progress in addressing societal concerns. Transforming societal attitudes, promoting gender sensitivity, and implementing supportive measures within media institutions and press clubs are essential to promoting the equitable inclusion of women in journalism. This will allow for a more comprehensive and representative portrayal of the diverse voices and experiences in the region.