Journalists from multiple districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa visited the office of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women under the media fellowship on Responsible Representation in Gender Based Violence and Child Marriages. Chairperson Dr. Samira Shams welcomed the fellows and set the tone for discussions on improving media coverage and ethical reporting standards, emphasizing the importance of Gender Representation in public discourse.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women (KPCSW) was described by the chairperson as a statutory body that advises the government, monitors institutions related to women, and provides policy guidance to promote gender equality across the province. Dr. Samira Shams outlined how the commission uses legal mandate and policy tools to support systemic change and strengthen institutional accountability.
The chairperson underlined the pivotal role of media in shaping social narratives and public perception, noting that the fellows carry a key responsibility to highlight gender injustices and reinforce institutional answerability. She urged journalists to ensure the voice of affected women is presented with dignity and sensitivity, and to prioritize accurate and informed Gender Representation when reporting on GBV and child marriage issues.
Dr. Samira Shams highlighted recent commission initiatives including a new women empowerment policy, the formation of district protection committees, and the publication of a gender parity report as tangible steps toward protecting women and advancing equality. She provided a detailed briefing on KPCSW objectives and ongoing actions to support survivors and strengthen provincial safeguards.
The visit concluded with an interactive question and answer session in which participants expressed deep interest and engaged in meaningful dialogue about media practices, policy implementation and ways to improve Gender Representation in regional reporting. The exchange reinforced collaboration between journalists and the commission to foster more responsible and effective coverage of gender based violence and child marriage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
