KARACHI: The Australian High Commission on Tuesday organized a session aimed at increasing public awareness about violence against women in partnership with the Centre for Excellence in Journalism.
The event intended to promote gender-sensitive reporting in the media was scheduled in conjunction with the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women.
Addressing the workshop, Neil Hawkins, Australia’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, highlighted the heightened vulnerability of girls and women to violence, particularly in the face of economic downturns, pandemics, climate change, and natural disasters.
Commissioner Hawkins emphasized the moral significance of promoting the rights of women and girls. Ensuring that victims of violence are portrayed in the media with compassion and dignity is not only morally imperative but also aligns with Pakistan’s core values.
“Australia is also sharing our expertise with Pakistani farmers by improving water management and agriculture, focusing on women. We are working with communities to ensure water, sanitation, and health services are climate-resilient and inclusive of women and girls,” he added.
Australia, through its endorsement of this workshop, endeavors to elevate awareness regarding the susceptibility of women and girls to violence. The goal is to confront societal and cultural norms that perpetuate violence against women.
In the workshop, distinguished Pakistani Australian journalist Kamal Siddiqi, alongside other seasoned Pakistani journalists, imparted valuable insights into the transformative potential of media in preventing violence against women and girls. The event saw the participation of journalists specializing in reporting on women’s rights, including news editors from various mainstream media outlets.
Trainer Kamal Siddiqi emphasized the urgency of addressing gender-based violence in Pakistan, saying, “The country ranks sixth in the world for danger to women, with discrimination stemming from cultural, religious, and traditional practices. To combat this issue, the media must raise awareness and play a crucial role in educating the public.”
“Such training can not only help journalists understand how to better report on gender-based violence but also develop an alliance where media persons can support each other and exchange ideas and information,” he added.
