The 10-day Media Fellowship on responsible reporting of gender-based violence and child marriage concluded at the University of Peshawar on 11th December 2025, equipping journalists with practical skills and ethical frameworks to cover sensitive issues. The Media Fellowship focused on improving empathy, accuracy and a rights-based perspective in newsroom coverage across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The initiative was led by the Social Welfare, Special Education and Women Empowerment Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in collaboration with the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Peshawar and Strengthening Participatory Organization. Technical support was provided by UNFPA Pakistan and the programme benefited from the support of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Pakistan.
Forty journalists from districts across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa took part in classroom sessions, practical exercises and reflective discussions designed to strengthen reporting standards on gender-based violence and child marriage. The Media Fellowship created a collaborative learning environment where participants examined ethical sourcing, survivor-centred storytelling and legal and social dimensions of child marriage.
Organisers said fellows will continue to develop reporting projects over the coming year, producing stories that aim to inform policy debate and public understanding while protecting the dignity and safety of women, children and other vulnerable groups. The sustained effort seeks to mainstream responsible and gender-sensitive journalism across provincial newsrooms.
The partnership between provincial government departments, the university, civil society actors and international technical partners underlined a shared commitment to elevating journalistic standards and ensuring that coverage of gender-based violence and child marriage is responsible, accurate and impactful.
