DHAKA: Women journalists from Nepal and Bangladesh have called for the establishment of a robust cross-border network to tackle common professional challenges and amplify the voices of underrepresented communities.
During an interaction program at the Nepali Embassy in Dhaka, women journalists from both countries discussed concerns related to representation, safety, and leadership opportunities in the media.
The participants emphasized the urgent need for a collaborative network focused on addressing shared issues and finding solutions.
In her keynote address at the event, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nepal, Indira Rana Magar, highlighted the importance of collective efforts to overcome the structural and social barriers that women face in the media industry.
Drawing from her experience as a social worker and activist, Rana noted that while the media sector has made progress, deep-rooted gender biases still persist. “It is crucial for women journalists to unite and advocate for meaningful change,” she added.
Nepal’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ghanshyam Bhandari, praised the role of women journalists in bringing attention to the stories of marginalized communities. “Uniting women journalists from both our countries is a commendable step. This collaboration not only strengthens professional solidarity but also fosters deeper people-to-people ties,” he remarked.
Professor Dr. Hosne Ara Begum, Founder and Executive Director of Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha (TMSS), South Asia’s largest women-led social organization, expressed the need for continued interactions between women journalists from neighboring countries.
Laxmi Bhandari, President of the Initiatives of Media Women (IMW), emphasized that such dialogues and partnerships would promote cooperation and capacity building, pointing out the common challenges women in media face in both countries.
The event concluded with a shared commitment to fostering stronger connections between women journalists across borders, aiming for a more inclusive, equitable, and empowered media landscape in South Asia.
Over 50 women journalists from prominent Bangladeshi media outlets, including The Daily Country Today, The Business Standard, BD News24.com, and Financial Express, participated in the program.
The event was organized by the Initiatives of Media Women (IMW), Nepal, in collaboration with the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka.
Comment