Women in journalism

The word "woman" may consist of only two syllables, yet its meaning carries immense depth. Every printed letter in a newspaper is like an invisible battlefield, and a woman journalist is a warrior, holding a pen in one hand and a shield in the other. She wins countless battles through courage, taking risks to unveil the truth. In today's world, women walk alongside men in almost every profession. Yet, in journalism, they continue to face barriers and struggles that question the very notion of equality.

Is journalism truly safe for women? The answer, unfortunately, is no. Past records show that around 20 per cent of female journalists working in the field have experienced direct attacks. One might ask why female journalists do not simply work online instead of going to the field. But online spaces are not safe either. A UNESCO survey revealed that 73 per cent of women journalists have faced work-related online harassment; among them, 25 per cent received physical threats, and 18 per cent faced sexual threats.

Freedom of expression and access to information may be theoretically equal for men and women, but in reality, women journalists face numerous obstacles. Political violence, sexual harassment, and security threats are common for those working on the field. Professional discrimination is also a harsh reality-women are often assigned "soft news" such as entertainment or lifestyle reporting, while investigative and political reporting is largely reserved for men, despite many women having the same capabilities.

It is time to break the stereotypes surrounding women's abilities. They should be evaluated based on their skills, not their gender. Besides, women should be provided with safe transportation and security, especially for night shifts and field reporting.

Nusrat Jahan (Shoronika),Student

Mass Communication and Journalism

Jagannath University

shoronikaislam1709@gmail.com