A Quick Look in Women in Media History

- The evolution of mass media in Nepal began with the introduction of the hand press in 1851 A.D.
- Printing of Sudha Sagar, the first monthly magazine signifies the beginning of Nepalese journalism.
- The state owned Gorkhapatra came into being in 1901 and the first English daily The Rising Nepal was published in 1965.
- In the year 1952, after the publication of monthly magazine MAHILA, Sadhana Pradhan and Kamakshya Devi was observed in Nepalese media as editors. Since then some women were seen as editors for weekly and monthly magazines.
- After the establishment of Nepal Television in 1985, the participation of women in Nepalese media was noticed.
- The restoration of democracy in 1990 paved the way for the development of media in Nepal.

Women in Nepalese Media at present

- After the establishment of numerous, private newspapers, FM stations and private television channels, women’s participation in media has been increased but relatively low in percentage.
- In the present context as well, women’s participation in decision making level is negligible.
- In spite of the change in media environment after democracy, visible improvement in terms of women’s participation and gender mainstreaming in media is yet to be achieved.
- No specific policies in any media organization for women journalists resulting the unfriendly working environment for them.
- Top management (or) decision making level is still male dominated and influenced by patriarchal perception with negligible number of women holding senior positions.
- The current reality is, women have become more visible in radio and television as presenters and announcers but few women are in reporting, editing and in other technical department.
- Few young women who have emerged in reporting field are still tend to be assigned to “soft issues” such as culture, art and lifestyles but not “hard issues” like politics, conflict, security, economy etc. But those women who are reporting such “hard issues” are performing excellent.
- The presence of women in any official commissions, boards or committees formed for formulating policies or monitoring the media are very few in number.
- Out of 13 members, there is only one women in Press Council as a Board Member.
- No Board members in Nepal Television, Gorkhapatra, Radio Nepal and RSS (State owned media).
- Very few women are holding the decision making level in private media organizations.
- The number of women working in the media (including government and private media) is estimated about 14 percent only.
- Due to the wide establishment of FM Radio stations in rural areas, women’s participation in Nepalese media has increased.

Problems & Challenges

- Strong influence of patriarchal value.
- Social perception, norms and values about women.
- Lack of specific media policies and code of conduct for the rights of women working in media.
- Lack of gender friendly working environment in the media organizations.
- Lack of job security and irregular remuneration.
- No specific duty hours (time boundaries).
- Lack of trainings and skill enhancing programs.
- Double responsibilities (household and official responsibilities) for women.

Recent incident:

For the first time in media history, Uma Singh, a journalist of Radio Today Janakpur in the terai was brutally murdered on 11 January, 2009. A few people have been arrested and it seems like the murder was for property but Maoist involvement is clearly seen.

Immediate Needs & Recommendation

- In regards to the historic decision made by the House of representatives about scrapping the existing discriminatory laws and reservation of at least 33 percent of in every structure of state bodies for women, this should be implemented in the media sector as well.
- Gender orientation for media professionals holding decision making level and policy makers.
- Increase women’s participation at every level in newsroom, editorial and technical departments in every media.
- Basic journalism training for new women journalists and advanced journalism training for working women journalists.
- In-house training opportunities for women journalists.
- Develop gender friendly working environment in all media organizations.
- Ensure job security and job description before each appointment.
- Ensure measures against sexual harassment at work places.
- Establishment of child care centers and facility.
- Opportunity for capacity building and international exposure.

Media After Peace Process

Media still remains under threat. Whereas before the threat was only from the opposition party (Maoists) or the state, at present it is not known who the threat is from because many armed groups have come up particularly in the terai and they abduct, set fire to vehicles carrying newspapers, etc for namesake because these incidents appear in the newspapers.