Speakers: Need to identify gender discrimination created through activity, communication

Speakers at a rountable discussion said that everyone in the society needs to identify the gender discrimination created through one's activity and communication.

The rountable discussion titled Gender Role in Culture and Creative Industries and in Media in Bangladesh was held to mark the World Cultural Diversity Day 2023.

This day celebrates not only the richness of the world's cultures but also the essential role of intercultural dialogue in achieving peace and sustainable development by highlighting relevant issues such as the need for artistic freedom and expression, social and economic rights of artists, and gender roles in cultural and creative industries.  

Unesco Dhaka in partnership with Un Women and ARTICLE 19 organized the roundtable discussion, reads a press release. 

During the session, Azmeri Haque Badhan said: "It is much needed to include those people in such discussion and platforms who are less aware about gender."

Ashfaque Nipun said: "We need to change the mindset on gender stereotyping."

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By expressing his concern Gousul Alam Shaon mentioned: "Private sectors, TV channels need to work together to create a sensitized society for a long term and sustainable outcome. We need explore the root cause of gender discrimination and to plan effectively for the empowerment of women."

Rawnak Hasan said: "We need to strengthen the creative industry for an enlightened society. The role of cultural practice is very significant. We need to include cultural practice in our education system.

"Media has infiltrated into every part of our daily lives, but women still do not have an equal place in media and the arts. Creating spaces for dialogue about gender equality, spaces that discuss women, men transgender people, and the relationships between them, is critical to improving gender equality in Bangladesh," Unesco Dhaka Officer-in-charge Susan Vize commented while inaugurating the discussion. 

During his opening remarks ARTICLE 19 Regional Director Faruq Faisal said: "It is being difficult now a days to express ourselves. Cyber bulling has become the biggest problem in our life. We need to work more on freedom of expression and right to information."

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The role of media to sensitize people on gender, the way of portraying women in media, influential role of media on making social norms and values and its impact was discussed by UN Women  Communications Analyst Shararat Islam.

The event was graced by Actor Azmeri Haque Badhan, Filmmaker and Screenplay Writer Ashfaque Nipun, Dotbirth Managing Director Gousul Alam Shaon, Actors Equity of Bangladesh General Secretary   Rawnak Hasan, Justice, and Diversity (GJD) and Preventing Violence Against Women Initiative Director-Gender, BRAC Nobonita Chowdhury, Earki Founder Shimu Naser, Film Director Shameem Akhtar, Film Syndicate Founder and CEO Mir Mukarram Hossain, Box Office Curator and Bookmaker Consultant Amitabh Dewry, DOP Rashed Zaman, Dancer Anisul Islam Hero, Dancer Pooja Sengupta, Singer and Music Producer Joy Shahriar, Half Stop Down Producer Mahjabin Reza Chowdhury, Fashion Designer Afsana Ferdousi including other distinguish representatives from the media and creative industry of Bangladesh as the discussants. 

All the discussants shared their valuable insights and experiences on the issue and highlighted the necessity to change the gender perception in media immediately. The roundtable discussion was moderated by Unesco Dhaka Office Program Officer, Culture Kizzy Tahnin.