Many media outlets fail to prioritise gender policies within their editorial frameworks, leading to biased and insensitive coverage.
This neglects results in the perpetuation of harmful gender stereotypes and inadequate representation of marginalised groups.
Addressing these gaps requires concerted efforts from both government and media institutions to allocate resources for gender-sensitive reporting and inclusive editorial policies.
Gender rights activists and media researchers made the call while facilitating a training workshop in Dhaka on Saturday, according to a press statement.
Voices for Interactive Choice and Empowerment (VOICE) organised the day-long “Training Workshop on Gender-Sensitive Reporting for Journalists and Women Human Rights Defenders” as part of the Promoting Women's Equality and Rights (POWER) in Bangladesh project, funded by APC/SIDA.
At the workshop held in Dhaka, facilitators highlighted the importance of initiatives to strengthen capacity of journalists and human rights defenders, urging the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) and the Directorate for Women Affairs to take immediate initiatives to provide nationwide gender-sensitive reporting training and formulate gender-sensitive policies, particularly for the newsrooms.
Journalists must be sensitised to human rights frameworks, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and national constitutions, to better understand women’s rights, they said.
Asst Prof Afroja Shoma of the Department of Media and Mass Communication at AIUB, rights activist Sheikh Manjur E Alam, Consultant on Rights and Gender Issues Sanaiya Ansari, and Dainik Amar Desh Deputy Editor Sultan Mahmud facilitated the session attended by at least 20 journalists and rights activists.
In his presentation, Sultan Mahmud pointed out that, in Bangladesh, gender-sensitive reporting is often overlooked in both national budgets and editorial policies.
Despite the critical role media plays in shaping public perception of gender issues, there is a significant lack of budget allocation for gender-focused reporting in the national budget.
The day long workshop covered several topics aimed at equipping journalists with the tools to report responsibly on gender issues.
The workshop began with an exploration of gender concepts e.g. the distinctions between gender and sex, societal gender roles, and the importance of balanced representation, including for non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals.
Participants were introduced to human rights and gender rights in following sessions which emphasised universal rights and the specific rights addressing gender equality, focusing on key international conventions such as the UDHR and Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Facilitators discussed how the media has often fallen short in its coverage of gender-related topics. There are numerous examples in which insensitive or sensationalised reporting has contributed to victim-blaming, perpetuated stereotypes, and even re-traumatised individuals who have suffered violence.
They delved into Bangladesh’s legal framework on gender, examining national laws and international principles that safeguard women's rights and promote gender equality.
They discussed the challenges in current reporting models, such as gender bias and lack of awareness. Best practices, including investigative journalism and fair reporting for both men and women, were shared to promote inclusivity in the media.
Participants also engaged in practical exercises, including case studies and role-playing scenarios.
