Dhaka, Jan 03, 2008 (News Network) -- "When I write a good news item, my editor is appreciated for that. But, I don’t get the incentive I deserve because I’m a woman. Not only that as a female journalist I have to face so many adversities and discriminations in discharging my responsibilities," a female journo from a district town told a workshop here recently.
Some other female journalists from different district towns (mufassil), who also participated in the workshop organised by Nari Sangbadik Kendra (Women Journalists’ Centre), echoed the same sentiment. At the workshop, these frustrated journalists shared their experiences of bitterness and discriminations.
Worried at the hostile attitude of this male-dominated society towards them, the female journalists said they are blamed by the very society they work for round the clock. They also said they are the victims of discrimination by their male-counterparts in using office logistics like telephone and computer.
"We’ve to tolerate indecent remarks from neighbours for getting home late after the day’s work. Even close relatives are not ready to spare us. In district towns, a female journo means an undisciplined and characterless girl," said one journalist.
They said even the environment for female journalists in capital Dhaka is still far from ideal.
Sumaiya Afrin (not her real name) used to work as a staff reporter of a daily. At the beginning everything was all right. But, the trouble started brewing when her boss began making unfair advancements towards her. Finding no other way to get rid of the problem, she ultimately quit her job.
Take the instance of Jaima Noor (not the real name). She began working in a leading daily as a contributor. She was promised to be made a desk staff once she could prove her worth. Encouraged by the promise, Jaima worked tirelessly and did well. But, when a post was created in the desk, she was denied the appointment.
Jaima demanded an explanation from the desk chief only to her, "You won’t be absorbed because you are a female as we have a decision not to appoint any woman." Having had such a crude reply, she quit the daily and joined another one.
There are so many instances like this. Female journalists are falling victims to discriminations at their workplaces in many ways.
Despite numerous adversities, many females have done quite well in this profession. Laila Samad, Nasimun Nahar Nini, Mafruha Chowdhury, Selina Parveen, Meherun Nesa, Setara Musa, Mofabeza Khanam, Husna Banu Khanam and Hasina Ashraf are among them. Besides, the names of Munni Saha, Shahnaz Munni, Sultana Rahman, Farjana Rupa and Kishwar Laila are worth mentioning.
Highlighting the problems faced by them, some female media workers say a female journalist has to take care of her husband, children and the family apart from doing the job. A woman does not get family support what a man does. Besides, most of the top posts in media houses are occupied by men. Had the ratio of top positions been proportionate, women could have worked better.
They also say that a woman understands the job less than what her male counterpart does. Besides, male colleagues are a big factor in the workplace. It is often seen that male colleagues are keen on the personal affairs of their female colleagues. Furthermore, women face discrimination in getting beats. In Bangladesh, female journalists are confined to beats relating to women and children.
About the increasing number of female journalists in TV channels, they think this has been done from a commercial attitude. The issue of women’s right did not get priority here.
Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, managing director and chief editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), says, "In Bangladesh, women are not taking up journalism as their profession as expected for various reasons. Besides, the number of female journalists in Bangladesh is less compared to the situation in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Security issue is the main reason, as journalists have to work at night. And the situation is not that favourable here. Besides, skill is another issue that has to be earned to compete with men."
Sajjad Kadir, joint news editor of Manabjamin, says female journalists have come a long way in the country. But, the number of females in the profession is not encouraging yet. "For instance, out of 46 media workers in my newspapers there are only five women. Working at night is inability the main problem for a woman."
But, Baby Maudud, editor in charge of the Weekly Bichitra, dismisses this contention. "Women can’t work at night’ is an old-fashioned proposition. It has no point to think like that anymore. If women are discriminated by citing trivial excuses, then we’ll have to say that our social system has not changed. We’ll have to get out of this mentality."
Dil Monwara Manu, editor of fortnightly Anannya, says in media women hardly get promotion as per merit let alone elevating them to the decision-making position. And few offices allow female journalists to go on maternity leave. In some places, the matter is even suppressed. Newspapers write about women rights, but they don’t practice it themselves.
BSS news editor Rashida Amin says, "Women must prepare themselves to make their marks in the profession but for that they will have to given the opportunity to work in the newspapers, TV channels and agencies because women can contribute a lot to the society working in this profession."
Sakhawat Ali Khan, a retired professor of Dhaka University’s Journalism department, says, "There are still some people in the media with traditional mindsets. They are scared of taking women in this profession. Women organizations should come forward in this regard. If they emphasize this issue it will be possible to change the situation fast."
"Media houses will have to take effective measures to end discriminations against women journalists. They will have to get out of the traditional mindset. Provided the opportunity, women are quite able to prove their worth in journalism like men," the professor feels.
- News Network
