27 Jan 2012 Nepal: Sensitization Programme in Support of Formulating Gender Guidelines for the Media

Asmita Women’s Publishing House, Media and Resource Organisation, Nepal
€ 8,000
Ref. 1713

While Nepali media have developed remarkably over the past few years, gender biases and prejudices persist. No media house has adopted gender guidelines to enable the institutionalization of gender sensitivity in reporting. Thus, the lack of gender guidelines for media is understood to be an important barrier obstructing gender sensitive journalism. Through the formulation of gender guidelines and their effective implementation, shortcomings in media could be addressed that would pave the way for media to contribute to empowering women and achieving gender equality. The project will emphasize the need for gender guidelines for media in 6 districts including Kathmandu. The direct beneficiaries include journalists, media producers, women rights activists and media consumer women. Major expected outcomes include: enhancement in thematic expertise, knowledge and insights; formulation and adoption of gender guidelines for local media; creation of an affirmative environment to develop guidelines at national level; and enabling media to eliminate gender biases at the same time as they promote gender equality. The project is an initiative of ASMITA, a non-governmental organization visible in advocacy for gender equality, women’s human rights, empowerment and progress through mass communication. Over the past 20 years, ASMITA has worked to enrich gender discourse in Nepali society by publishing various materials and provide up-to-date information for journalists in particular on contemporary women’s issues.

Contact: Ms Manju Thapa
Email: asmita@healthnet.org.np
Web: www.asmita.org.np