Play role to change men’s attitude towards women

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) organised the workshop titled 'Women in Media' under its project Advocacy to End Gender based Violence Against Women at a city hotel.

The workshop aimed to sensitise the media persons as well as the people to create zero tolerance towards violence against women, criticising projection of women in different media.

UNFPA Bangladesh Representative Suneeta Mukherjee chaired the workshop.

Two papers titled 'Women's Dignity in Bangladesh' by Advocate Kishwar Sayeed, director of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association (BNWLA) and 'Women in Film and Advertisement in Bangladesh' by Mohammad Awlad Hossain, senior reporter of the daily Manabjamin, were presented in the workshop.

The papers mentioned that newspapers publish special issues for women on cooking, fashion designing and child caring but do not highlight their contribution in politics and economy.

Many newspapers irresponsibly publish news on violence against women. At the same time television channels through films and commercials project women with a typical outline where her physical beauty prevails.

Nafis Sadik, special ambassador for Fistula, UNFPA and special envoy for HIV/Aids in Asia to the UN Secretary General, said women should be brought up in policy level of the media in accordance with their qualifications.

Speaking as special guest, Artiste Ferdousi Rahman said I am sorry to say that the typical attitude of men did not change.

The men who are controlling the media should be careful whether women are portrayed rightly and decently. At the same time, the women who are working in media should also take responsibility in this regard.

Group works took place in the second session of the workshop on the role of film and ad makers, actors and actresses and journalists in evaluating women in society and in bringing a positive change in the mentality of the audience.

Information Secretary Barrister M Hyder Ali was present as the chief guest while Film Maker Amzad Hossain, Artiste Dilara Zaman, Director of Channel I Shaikh Siraj and Assistant Editor of Jugantor Gulshan Akhtar were present at first session.

Establishment Secretary M Mahbubur Rahman was present as the chief guest of the working session.