Faruq Faisel, Regional Director for ARTICLE 19 South Asia, has said media must be more responsible in reporting and broadcasting the incidents of gender-based violence.

For this, he said, the journalists involved in reporting also need training on the use of gender sensitive language.

On the occasion of the 16 days of activism and International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (VAW), ARTICLE 19 on Thursday hosted an online discussion with experts and activists on gender-based violence and the systemic VAW issues in Bangladesh.

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This year’s United Nations theme is ‘’Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!’’.

Fawzia Khondker Eva, Core Group Member of ‘Sangat’, a feminist network in South Asia, Dr Snigdha Rezwana, faculty at the Department of Anthropology at Jahangirnagr University and Aparajita Sangita, a human rights activist and an international award-winning independent filmmaker, spoke at the event as discussants with Faruq Faisel in the chair.

Eva said patriarchal mindset is the main obstacle to women's development and empowerment, not men. “Women and girls are the first victims of poverty, violence and even pandemics due to this mindset. Everyone, especially the media, must come forward to dispel this misconception.”

Dr Rezwana called for practising sensitivity and ethics in reporting the incidents of gender-based violence in the media.

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She said victims are emotionally and socially devastated by the use of inappropriate and sexiest language in describing incidents of rape and violence against women.

Aparajita Sangita said transgender characters are portrayed in a very offensive and negative way in dramas and movies.

She urged filmmakers, directors and ad-makers for television to be more sensitive to gender diversity and sensitivity.