UN Women Pakistan and Geo News have signed the Global Media Compact, marking a significant step toward strengthening collaboration to promote the rights of women and girls. This partnership aims to challenge gender stereotypes, amplify women's voices and leadership, and encourage fair and balanced representation in media.
The UN Women Global Media Compact is an invitation-based, pro bono alliance that encourages media organizations to integrate gender equality into their editorial practices, reporting, and public engagement. Fahmida Iqbal Khan, Deputy Country Representative of UN Women in Pakistan, stated, "What the media chooses to cover, and whom it invites to speak, shapes how a society sees women and girls.
By joining the Media Compact, we look forward to working together to promote gender-responsive journalism, challenge harmful stereotypes, and foster a media environment where women and girls are represented with dignity, fairness, and respect." Azhar Abbas, Managing Director of Geo News, added, "Fair and meaningful representation of women and girls is fundamental to responsible journalism, and it is a commitment we take seriously.
Through our partnership with UN Women, we aim to build on this work with greater focus. We intend to strengthen gender-responsive editorial practices, broaden the range of women experts featured in our coverage, and ensure that women and girls are represented with context and dignity."
In Pakistan, where media plays a significant role in shaping public discourse, gender-responsive journalism can help challenge discriminatory social norms and raise awareness of issues such as violence against women, economic empowerment, political participation, and digital safety. The partnership also underscores the importance of ethical reporting, particularly regarding gender-based violence, ensuring that survivors' privacy and safety are prioritized.
The Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs), developed by UN Women and the UN Global Compact, provide guidance to businesses on advancing gender equality. Globally, over 13,400 companies are listed in the WEPs directory, reflecting a growing commitment to inclusive business practices.
This collaboration serves as a model for other media houses in the region to adopt similar standards for a more equitable society.