Australian Deputy High Commissioner Joanne Frederiksen attended the inaugural session of a media workshop organised by the Australian High Commission and the Centre for Excellence in Journalism.

The online workshops for media professionals coincide with the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women and aim to raise awareness through gender-sensitive reporting.

Ms Frederiksen said gender equality leads to greater productivity and growth. Promoting equality and the rights of women and girls is central to Australia’s development, economic and bilateral cooperation with Pakistan.

She added: “Gender-based violence is a shared challenge. There has been an alarming increase in violence against women during the lockdowns to curb the spread of Covid-19. The role of media is important in challenging traditional social and cultural norms and attitudes that condone violence against women.”

The two workshops are being conducted by Virginia Haussegger, renowned Australian journalist, Pakistani journalists Amber Shamsi, Marvi Memon and Mehmal Sarfraz and legal expert Sara Malkhani.

Ms Haussegger said: “I applaud those who embrace media education around violence and congratulate those Pakistani journalists who aim to improve media reporting. It is only through a better understanding of the root causes of violence and gender inequality that we can build a deeper understanding of the role every citizen must play in preventing violence against women and girls.”

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2020