KARACHI, Oct 10: The Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), in collaboration with the Unesco, here on Tuesday gave Gender in Journalism awards to journalists and writers for their best articles and reports on gender-based issues in Pakistan.

Ms Razia Fareed (Jang) received the gender sensitivity award while the best female journalist award went to Ms Afshan Subohi (Dawn). Both of them also received Rs50,000 cash award.

Speaking on the occasion, Fatima Surayya Bajiya, Advisor to Sindh chief minister, was of the opinion that though oppression exists in the society, still role of women was so powerful that they could face all sorts of pressure.

She urged that there should be printed matter about empowerment of women but indecent words or sentence should not be used while expressing views.

Ms Zubaida Mustafa said though the number of women was increasing in journalism, they still were partitioned in specific slots. She felt that in-depth and analytical coverage should be carried out about issues related to women, especially those of rural areas. She suggested devising a code of ethics for print as well as in electronic media to stop humiliation of women.

Columnist Zahida Hina said that women should cover matters like biased behaviour of police towards women and gender-based violence.

She underscored the need of launching a countrywide campaign regarding increasing female literacy.

Qamar Shahbaz, Sindhi writer, secretary general of PPF Awais Aslam, PPF chairman Fazal Qureshi and UNESCO representative Aisha Durrani also spoke.

Tahir Siddiqi (Dawn), M Masood (News Line), and Nargis Malik (Jang) were among the other finalists of the gender sensitive category, while the finalists of the best female journalist category were Ms Faiza Ilyas, Ms Irum Ansari, Zoefeen Ibrahim and Ms Sabeena Qazi.—PPI