Media Support Group was formed in 16 Days of Activism Campaign urging policy and opinion makers for elimination of violence against women in Pakistan

As part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, Peace and Development Organization (PADO) formed Media Support Group on 3^rd December 2009 in Peshawar, North Western Frontier Province (NWFP), in order to end violence against women in Pakistan. This is an outcome of its effort when PODA convened a meeting in collaboration with UN WOMEN, where 30 representatives from print and electronic media as well as youth groups joined hand-in-hand for the campaign cause.

With PODA’s experience and observation with the 16 Days of Activism campaign shared in the meeting, the Media Support Group developed a joint ToR and future intervention: The Media Support Group will have three different supportive mechanisms of addressing and contributing towards the elimination of violence against women. The first mechanism called Authors Group, having three to five columnists of reputable newspapers will be initially responsible for narrating and enlightening about various aspects of violence against women. Second mechanism called Coverage Group, comprising the similar numbers of electronic and print media personnel, will ensure the required media coverage in order to highlight the issues and convey message to a wider population in a more effective manner. The third mechanism, having five to ten journalists, will monitor the whole process, and provide document recommendation and suggestion in its advocacy work with all the stakeholders concerned.

The group of journalist and youth, supported by PADO, will be in coordination on a regular basis for organising activities of the newly formed group. Its members will advocate the rights of women in the region in order to ensure effective implementation of CEDAW and will also contribute to improve living environment, protection and care for women in the province.

For more information or any questions, contact PADO Peshawar, Pakistan: info [at] pado.org.pk, +92 91 528 5185