Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Leads Gender Sensitization Dialogue for Fair Media Portrayal of Women
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Leads Gender Sensitization Dialogue for Fair Media Portrayal of Women
On March 11, 2024, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) hosted a significant roundtable discussion titled “Gender Sensitization – Portrayal of Women in Media” at Hotel Ashok, New Delhi. The event, featuring a diverse panel from the Ministry, Prasar Bharati, FICCI, UN Women, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, UNICEF, BAG Films & Media Ltd., Radio Mewat, Times of India, Equilibrio Advisory LLP, Fever FM, and actress Anupriya Goenka, was skillfully moderated by Primus Partners.
This crucial dialogue unfolded in two comprehensive sessions, examining the current media landscape's portrayal of women and envisioning a progressive path forward. Key topics addressed included the impact of media representations on societal perceptions, the identification and challenges of common stereotypes, and the media's responsibility in fostering inclusive narratives through accountable and gender-sensitive communication.
Participants shared insights on best practices to promote diversity, shatter stereotypes, and harness media's transformative potential for societal betterment. Strategies for amplifying empowering narratives for women and fostering collaborative efforts among media entities, advocacy groups, and content creators to achieve a more equitable society were vigorously explored.
Neerja Sekhar, IAS, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, highlighted the combined duty of state and society to initiate change, emphasizing workplace safety and equal opportunities for women. The government's commitment to driving this change through ongoing stakeholder dialogues was affirmed.
The panelists recognized the pivotal role of OTT platforms in narrating strong, stereotype-free stories, discussing resources like the "Guide on Gender–Inclusive Communication" by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the "Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes" by the Supreme Court of India, to underscore the importance of language and representation in dismantling entrenched biases.
In closing, Charu Malhotra, Co-founder and Managing Director of Primus Partners Pvt. Ltd., reflected on the session's depth and breadth, stressing the need for normalizing women in diverse roles and eliminating the distinction between female-centric and male-centric narratives. The consensus for moving forward involves leveraging these discussions in policy-making within the Media and Entertainment sector to ensure women's rightful representation.