#16Pledges: Constant conversation and dialogue to fight against patriarchal social structures

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Day 10 of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

 

#16Pledges: IAWRT members around the world share their efforts and vision how they can contribute to eliminating violence against women

 

 Community broadcaster and founder of Radio Mewat Archana Kapoor of India: I pledge to fight against patriarchal social structures and question the system of socialization that has made women the object of men’s tyranny and oppression, through constant conversation and dialogue.

 

I promise to not support or endorse any action or word that supports patriarchy and use community media to help provide women access and opportunity to speak up and break the silence. 

 

 

#16Pledges: Work to strengthen women participation in media, in peace talks, in political and social spheres in Afghan society

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Day 9 of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

 

#16Pledges: IAWRT members around the world share their efforts and vision how they can contribute to eliminating violence against women

 

 

 Director General of The Killid Media Group in Afghanistan and IAWRT Afghanistan Chapter Head Najiba Ayubi: I pledge to work to strengthen women participation in media, in peace talks, in political and social spheres in Afghan society

 

Over the last two decades, Afghanistan has experienced a rise in women participation in the media sector. But the difficult years that women journalists have spent on trainings/learning have gone to media-related work under high security threats. In this period, several women journalists have lost their lives.

 

In the current situation, women achievements in general and specifically, women journalists’ achievements, need to be preserved.

 

We, in Afghanistan, continue our efforts to strengthen ways and processes towards information sharing and circulation and women participation in the political and social grounds.

 

We also maintain our efforts and constant communication with the peace negotiating teams of Afghan government and the Taliban so that the liberty and achievements of Afghan women are not falling as preys to the politicized peace.

#16Pledges: Facilitate job opportunities for women facing domestic violence and financial hardships due to COVID-19 pandemic

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Day 8 of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

#16Pledges: IAWRT members around the world share their efforts and vision how they can contribute to eliminating violence against women

IAWRT Board Member Mandira Raut of Nepal: I pledge to educate, train, and facilitate women who are looking for the opportunity to re-join their job or business, with special priority to those who are facing domestic violence and financial crisis due to COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Through my organization “Utsah Nepal”, I have collaborated with national banks to provide micro-finance loans to the women, members of Utsah “Mothers’ Club, who are running small businesses. 

 

Utsah Nepal has employed women with disabilities to make ornaments from beads. We used to sell these products in the local and national exhibitions. But due to the pandemic situation, we are selling them using an online platform. We have a cluster of women groups who support and encourage each other in the business by sharing best practices, training, and networking through weekly and monthly virtual meetings.

 

A single mother of three 3 children, Maiya Sharma, who got support from Utsah Nepal says, “I was facing financial crisis due to the pandemic, but now I’m relieved because, through the support from the Utsah Nepal, I could get a loan from the bank with 5 % interest and could run my business of a small fancy shop. Earlier, when I needed to take a loan, I had to pay 18% interest to the Micro Finance companies”

 

#16Pledges: Research and solutions to make diversity and equality in the media a reality

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Day 7 of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

 

#16Pledges: IAWRT members around the world share their efforts and vision how they can contribute to eliminating violence against women

 

 

Media researcher Dr. Greta Gober: I pledge to continue my research and educational work to make diversity and equality in the media a reality. 

 

Diversity amongst journalists has never been more urgently in need of attention. As anti-feminist and anti-minority positions are in ascendance across the world, including in liberal democracies, diversity among journalists remains one of top challenges faced by the news industry.

 

In 2021, I pledge to develop an educational project to dismantle race and gender inequalities in journalism education. I also pledge to create a podcast and a series of webinars about diversity management as innovation in journalism. 

 

 

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Greta Gober, media researcher from Poland based in Sweden, served a term as IAWRT board member at large and is the newly-elected vice president. She is a postdoctoral fellow at the department of Media Studies, Stockholm University and the head of IAWRT’s Gender Mainstreaming Committee. 

 

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