Women in media facing problems: Kalpana Sharma

Many media houses yet to set up committees to deal with sexual harassment complaints

Well-known columnist Kalpana Sharma today said many women journalists were scared to reveal the harassments faced by them within their organisations due to the fear of losing their jobs.

Speaking at a two-day national workshop on 'Women in Media' organised by Kerala Press Academy and Network of Women in Media, she said many media houses were yet to set up committees to deal with sexual harassment complaints.

"Many women journalists are still not coming up and speaking out. Because, they want to save their jobs. Many media groups are not setting up anti-sexual harassment cells," Sharma said.

"Earlier we had a belief that we were safe as we were journalists and women. But, many women journalists do not feel so today," she said.

Sharma also noted that the number of women journalists giving up their jobs were on the rise these days.

Film editor Bina Paul Venugopal, journalist BRP Bhaskar and activist Ajitha also spoke during the interaction.

"Samghaditha", a Kozhikode-base publication, received this year's media award instituted by Network of Women in Media. The award comprised a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and citation.