By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: A workshop of media representatives on the issues of gender equity and declining child sex ratio in Madhya Pradesh was organized here in Bhopal by United Nations Population Fund, (UNFPA), during which a large number of senior journalists and editors of print and electronic media participated. The participants of the workshop discussed the issues related to gender equity, violence against women and declining child sex ratio.
Dr. P. R. Deo, Madhya Pradesh Programme Coordinator, UNFPA welcomed the participants and made a presentation on declining child sex ratio: understanding the practice, its causes and social implications. He also talked about the provisions of PC & PNDT Act. He said that with its reach in all sections of the society through electronic and print medium, media could play a significant role in raising awareness on these issues in the society.
On this occasion Ms. Sudeepa Das from Investing in Women in Development, (IWID), gave an overview of the status of violence against women in the state. She was critical of the portrayal of women in the media and requested not to use women as sex symbol. She noted that harmful practices such as sex selection, dowry and spousal violence flourish in the fertile ground of ignorance in which lives of women and girls are governed by negative values since they are deprived of information and education on their basic rights to their health and well being. She expressed a need of maintaining the dignity of women and requested to highlight both positive and negative aspects of women’s life with a view to improving women’s status in the society.
During the open discussion session participants discussed the myths and misconceptions attached with the issues of gender and sex selection and how media can contribute effectively to address these issues. A broad consensus was built on creating an imagery of the issue that encourages immediate action and highlight efforts that are at the heart of the problem such as equal access to health care, education, nutrition, employment and productive resources of land and property.
Tej Ram Jat, Madhya Pradesh Programme Officer, UNFPA thanked the participants of the workshop, guests and resource persons. He expressed that gender biases would go away once women are treated as human beings. He said media being the fourth pillar of democracy, it plays very important role through information and communication in raising the issues and speak for the oppressed, particularly women and girl child. ([email protected])