ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on Tuesday called for responsible media reporting of gender-based violence (GBV), stressing the need to protect victims’ privacy and prevent sensationalism.
The call was made during a web session organised by the two organisations on ‘Rising Gender-Based Violence and the Responsible Role of Media and Unions in its Reporting’. IFJ President Zuliana Lainez also attended the session.
Pakistan Peoples Party MNA Sharmila Farooqui said violence against women was increasing and should be treated as a human rights issue rather than merely a women’s issue. Recalling her work on the domestic violence bill, she said discussing such matters remained difficult in society.
She said GBV was not limited to physical violence and women were increasingly being targeted online. She urged PFUJ and IFJ to launch awareness campaigns on the issue.
Jamaat-i-1slami Deputy Secretary General Samia Raheel Qazi said violence against a woman affected an entire generation.
She called for responsible reporting in which victims were not humiliated and received empathy and support. She also stressed the need to involve men in efforts to create a safer environment for women.
Chairperson of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women Dr Sumera Shams said provincial laws and district committeeswere being used to address cases involving women and children.
She urged the media to support these efforts through responsible reporting and public awareness.
Senior journalist Asma Shirazi said online violence had become a major issue alongside domestic violence. Sheurged journalists to follow professional principles, avoid sensationalism and ensure that cases from all provinces received attention.
Other members representing media pointed out parliamentary standing committees could play an important role in addressing GBV. They argued many women continued to suffer violence silently and stressed that media and social media platforms must protect victims’ privacy.
Barrister Maleeka Bukhari highlighted victim-blaming and the destruction of evidence in domestic violence cases. She called for international standards in reporting cases involving women and urged greater cooperation between UN Women and the media.
IFJ Gender Council Chairperson Maria Angeles said the federation’s strategy prioritised protection from harassment and ensuring safe working conditions for women journalists in newsrooms, on the streets and on social media.
She said 78pc of union presidents were men compared with 22pc women, while 58pc of unions had gender committees.
Activist and Bolo Bhi director Usama Khilji raised concerns over the use of cybercrime laws against women and journalists, saying legal safeguards were needed to prevent further victimisation.
Other speakers, including journalists, union representatives and rights activists, called for training, legal assistance, help-lines, awareness campaigns and safer workplaces.
They stressed that lawmakers, media organisations, unions and civil society needed to work together to address physical, psychological and online violence against women.