NCHR, MMfD Launch Digital Gender Inclusion Fellowship for Journalists
News Desk
Islamabad: In celebration of World Press Freedom Day, the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), in partnership with Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD), has announced a new fellowship aimed at empowering journalists to report on digital rights and gender inclusion.
The initiative, supported by UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), is designed to enhance journalists’ professional capacity to cover these critical issues through a gender-sensitive and rights-based approach.
The fellowship will select 12 journalists to receive specialized training focused on reporting digital rights and internet governance. The program aims to produce high-quality investigative journalism that not only sheds light on the challenges of digital gender inclusion but also increases public awareness and visibility through both mainstream and digital media platforms.
Rabiya Javeri Agha, Chairperson of NCHR, highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating, “Despite the growing digital penetration in Pakistan, a persistent gender digital divide continues to hinder women’s full participation in the digital ecosystem. Journalists play a vital role in raising awareness, influencing public discourse, and holding institutions accountable.”
The fellowship will combine theoretical knowledge with hands-on skill-building, covering a range of topics including UNESCO’s ROAM-X framework, Pakistan’s digital gender landscape, gender-sensitive reporting techniques, investigative journalism methods, legal frameworks like PECA, digital safety mechanisms, and editorial development of story ideas. Fellows will also be trained in the specific policy and regulatory frameworks governing digital rights in Pakistan.
Sadaf Khan, Co-Founder of MMfD, emphasized the need for nuanced journalism in digital spaces, stating, “Advancing gender inclusion in digital environments requires informed, sensitive journalism. Digital technologies continue to shape how information is accessed and controlled, and it is critical that journalists are equipped to report on these issues from a rights-based and gender-sensitive perspective.”
The fellowship will be contextualized for the Pakistani environment, with tailored contributions from NCHR. The Commission will lead sessions on institutional response mechanisms, human rights protections, enforcement of digital safety policies, and the alignment with national gender inclusion and internet governance strategies.
After the training workshop, fellows will enter a mentorship phase, where they will be paired with experienced journalists and editors who will offer personalized guidance on refining story angles, conducting research, and navigating editorial and publication processes.
