Development journalists mark Int'l Women's day

PARTICIPANTS undertaking the development journalism programme at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication in New Delhi on Sunday evening held a small but colourful reception as part of celebrations marking the International Women's Day.
The participants comprised journalists, public relation officers from Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe said the event was among other things meant to reflect on the important role women play in our society. Most of the participants noted that it was the first time they celebrated the event outside their countries.

For Gayane Hakobyan said in her country Armenia the International Women's Day offers everyone the unique opportunity to renew their commitment to the cause of women. 'On this day, you will see people giving flowers to women to show how much they like them. In other words, it is another opportunity for men to get closer to their partners'

Like many others,Gayane said she was surprised about about the reception she received when she suggested to the participants to contribute hundred rupees each to throw a party as part of celebrations marking the event. 'The party was good I enjoyed it, it was completely different from the lectures on development journalism, I have learnt from the men'

Speaking at the reception, Pierre YS Sylva from The Gambia commended everyone for their interest in celebrating the event, adding that it was paradox when one look at it from another angle.


'While we are celebrating this day, a lot of women mainly from rural villages from around the World do not know or have the time to mark the day' Sylva underscored the important role women play in our society, and urged the participants to create more awareness to empower women.

Fazdlin Kamaruddin from Malaysia said she was not impressed with the Indian media coverage on the event. According to Fazdlin, the television channels failed to bring to the fore the importance of the International Women's Day. The Malaysian said what women want is to be treated equally.

Laloo Karuna from Mauritius said it was wrong to celebrate the event just for a day, pointing out that the day should be celebrated everyday to show the importance of women in the world. Like some of her colleagues the Tv journalist from MBC urged the media to play a proactive role in sensitising the people about the rights and responsiblities of women.

The event could not have come at a better time when Ravonji from Madagascar is celebrating twenty four years of marriage. ' I want to use this event to renew my love. I want to thank my wife for her patience and understanding.'

Chabby Barasa from Tanzania said the bottomline is that women have to work harder. 'Do they know what the day stand for?' Barasa urged the women not to curry favours and expect things to come on a silver plate just like that. The Tanzanian journalists observed that the International Women's Day has turned out to be an 'urban thing for the educated class', adding 'my grandmother in the village don't know about women's day.'


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