Women In The Media Inadequate Participation
By Kamala Sarup
What is the image of women working in print and electronic media may be a serious question to ask. During the panchayat
system the press was not free. The freedom of the press in Nepal does not seem to be utilized effectively.
Little interest
In Nepal, the mainstream media has give little interest in women's issues and whatever has been covered most are rather
negative and wrong projection. The media does not seem to have given adequate attention to important issues that concern
women's welfare. Regarding women issues the media has been at best elitist and worst sensational and irresponsible.
According to a survey on women in the media, it is estimated that women represent fewer than 30 percent of the employees
in the national newspapers and magazines, films and in the radio broadcasting in most of the countries in the world.
Further more, lower than 10 percent are engaged at the managerial level. One of the main reasons for limited involvement
of women in the press and in the field of writing may be their isolation from exposure and exchange of ideas with the
outside world. The history of print media in Nepal is no longer than 100 years. The first newspaper of the country ,
Gorkhapatra, vernacular daily was published from a mono type press over 98 years ago. Radio Nepal as the first
electronic media started from Bikram Era 2007, almost 44 years ago since then Nepali media has experienced a slow
metamorphosis to come to the current state. Today, more than 600 newspaper and magazines and a totally seven electronic
media are in operation. Rastriya Samachar Samiti is one sole news agency. Women's participation in mass media begun as
early as 42 years ago, thenceforth different women personalities have been persevering to raise the female cause in the
media almost on a regular basis. But still women participation in the existing Nepali media as journalists, editors,
reporters, writers , script writers are very nominal. This applies to both print and electronic media.
The first women's magazine in Nepal published 46 years ago, stated in its editorial, " we are going to offer the readers
of Mahila ( meaning women) a women's bulletin, Mahila which was mainly a bulletin about a women's organization was
published in 1951 jestha. It was the first magazine in this country to be edited, managed and published entirely by
women. The first issues Mahila, was very interesting as it include many articles relating to the disorder and the
current social evils, as well as poems, news and editorial comments. Four months after the release of Mahila in 1951,
another monthly women's magazine Prabha was published. This magazine, too, was only published once and disappeared. Then
on 16th of Bhadra, 2008, another magazine Pratibha was started under its leadership in women's liberation movement,
however, and it was closed after a year of publication. In the meantime, Jana Bikas, another magazine of a different
style was started under the editorialship of Rama Devi Pant in 1953. But this magazine was also discontinued after 12
issues. In 1958, a new magazine, Swasnimanchhe (women) was started by a women editor Shashikala Sharma. At the same time
that Swasnimanchhe was in public, another magazine under a women editor. Chetana was started on 15 Baisakh 2016. But
this magazine also could not continue for more than six issues. Although, there had been many magazines with various
publication schedules fortnightly, monthly quarterly. It was only in 1962 that a weekly magazine with a women editor was
established.
After the political change in 1960, some women got an opportunity to organize themselves within the framework of a
special directive from the government. This women's magazine became monthly after two years of publication. The
publication was regular until 1960 with different editorial boards but it could not contribute much for the development
of women in the country. In this context, in 1972 and in 1973 two women's magazine came into existence they were Gargi
edited by Manjla Giri and Nari edited by Shova Duwal. Besides these two magazines, there were other women's magazines
and bulletins published secretly by various women's organizations. Most of them usually disappeared after a few issues
without making any solid contribution to the society. Therefore, women's journalism was almost back to zero when Asmita
was first published in 1988.
After three years, in 1991 and in 1992 other size women's magazines appeared Narimanch, Riwas, Naulo, Abhiyan, Nawa
Richa, Richa, and Deep Ganga. It was a good sign that more and more women's magazines and papers were coming to support
women to express their problems and experiences but due to financial administrative and management reasons, after few
issues they also disappeared. Nowadays some other general magazine believe that their duty is fulfilled if a small
column for women is provided. But this does not bring any change in the status of women in Nepal for this.
Hence, more and more women's magazines and women journalists need to come forward.
Many women deliberately avoid this avoid because they think journalists means hard work and less pay. Hence, it seems
that the government at first must direct its efforts to make the print media stand on its feet, since the forth estate,
as it is constitutionally termed, remains one of the pillars of democracy, all possible helps must be rendered to the
print media for its healthy and sustainable growth. This being the reality, it has always been difficult fort the media
to flourish. If only the government no matter which political party comes to power, shakes of its prejudices and
appreciates healthy criticisms, chances is bright for the media to flourish. As there is no adequate representation and
participation of women journalists in the print media. More and more women should be encourage to join the profession
even in decision making level of the editorial section of the media.
Code of Conduct
There is a code of conduct for the journalists that they should not punish anything, which degrade the weaker sections
of the society. This code of conduct is forgotten very often while writing on women's issues. The media should improve
its own restrictions and standards on items, which humiliate and discriminate against women.
(This article was published in Expository magazine)