First-ever women journalists’ workshop concludes

Over 250 journalists from 30 States/UTs across the country, representing 120 media organisations came together on a single platform at the first-ever ‘All India Women Journalists’ Workshop’. 

The workshop organised by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) in association with Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in New Delhi on Tuesday, was inaugurated by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Maneka Sanjay Gandhi. Women journalists from print, electronic and online media across the country including small and regional media organizations participated in the conference.

Addressing the journalists, Maneka Gandhi said that we all are aware of the power and reach of the media, and its ability act as agent of change. There is a need to empower the journalists with correct and timely information since journalists are a big social multiplier and can become agents of social change. She requested the journalists to act as a two-way communication channel, i.e. bring the voice from the grassroots to the government and vice versa.

Gandhi made a comprehensive presentation on the issues taken up by the WCD Ministry in the last two years.  She explained how for the first time the Ministry has been examining the issue of safety of women in a holistic manner, i.e. from saving the girls from gender biased sex selection to constructing shelter homes for widows. Similarly, the Ministry has been looking at care and protection of children in a comprehensive manner. In both cases a large number of interventions have been taken by the Ministry, she explained.