KABUL (SW): The Journalists Safety Committee on Saturday called for the need to legislate for the rights and safety of female journalists.
Sidiqullah Tawhidi, member of the JSC governing body, told the gathering for the implementation of the law on sexual harassment and gender discrimination that the media sector is home to both male and female, but laws for the mass media have no protection for the female journalists.
He said female journalists are faced with a number of impediments including sexual harassment and troubles in accessing information. Tawhidi lamented that the law for mass media has no specifications for the duties and safety of female journalists.
Addressing the moot, Humera Saqib, head of the Women’s News Agency, said female journalists are lagging behind in the field due to sexual harassment, insecurity, lack of opportunities and other troubles they face on regular basis, which also force them to self-censor.
She also highlighted the fact that there is an absolute dearth of women at top positions in the media industry.
ENDS
