UN Women for establishing just society

UN Women country director Shoko Ishikawa has called for building a just society as Covid-19 followed by multiple disasters have put achievements at the crossroads.

"Global coronavirus pandemic is a wake-up call for building a more equal and more inclusive society," she said on Monday.

Ms Ishikawa said this while addressing a webinar styled 'Where are the Women? Media Coverage of Disaster' as the co-chair.

Hosted by the UN Women, the event was also co-chaired by Women Affairs Department director general Parveen Akter and moderated by programme specialist Dilruba Haidar.

National Press Club general secretary Farida Yasmin, Ekattor TV special correspondent Farzana Rupa and Women Journalists Network coordinator Angur Nahar Monty also spoke.

BBA Media Action programme manager Senjuti Masud presented a paper at the event in observance of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Ms Ishikawa said disasters since March 2020 against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic have put the country to deal with new challenges, including limiting women's participation, leadership and rights.

"We're at the crossroads. Either we lose hardcore gains of rights and sustainable and inclusive development or we emerge more equal resilience and on a road to last and inclusive development," she said.

The dignitary called for the media to join hands with others to create a more just society.

Ms Akter highlighted the programmes undertaken earlier to raise women's voice to fight vulnerability, saying that the government is working to ensure women and children's access in times of disasters.

During the webinar, Ms Yasmin recognised the need for a change of mindset in disaster reporting.

She said women's pain and their recovery-related news must get focused in the media to share success stories.

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