Women journalists unite to challenge newsroom barriers through leadership training

ISLAMABAD: A two-day “leadership training program for women journalists” was conducted in Islamabad on the December 23 and 24 to equip women working in the media sector with practical leadership, negotiation, safety, and decision-making skills, while addressing the deeply gendered challenges of newsrooms, press clubs, and journalist unions.

The intensive training, organized by the Institute for Research, Advocacy and Development (IRADA) with support from Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), brrought together young women journalists from the twin cities to reflect on leadership avenues, confront structural barriers, and build collective strategies to advance gender equity in media institutions.

Through interactive sessions, discussions, and practical exercises, participants explored how leadership functions within Pakistani media and how women can assert influence in traditionally male-dominated spaces.

The first day of the training focused on the foundations of leadership and navigating power structures within newsrooms. Sessions addressed leadership competencies, gendered wage gaps and glass ceilings, negotiating assignments and promotions, and responding to resistance and sexism.

Day two shifted the focus to leadership beyond the newsroom, particularly within press clubs, unions, and journalist associations. Participants examined press club politics, gatekeeping practices, and the reasons behind women’s underrepresentation in representative bodies.

The training also offered practical strategies for contesting elections, building alliances, influencing policy change, and leading editorial and supervisory decisions. Emphasis was also placed on networking, mentorship, and collective power as tools for long-term career growth and institutional change.

IRADA and CFLI also plan to expand these training into Lahore and Karachi, aiming to train more women journalists at the beginning of 2026.

“Through this leadership training program designed for young women journalists, we aim to move beyond skills-building and create space for women to understand power, challenge and exclusion. By investing in women journalists’ leadership, safety, and collective strength, we are working towards a more inclusive and accountable media sector,” said Salwa Rana, Programme Manager at IRADA.

“The two-day leadership training was an incredible opportunity to meet young journalists from Islamabad who were enthusiastic about becoming future leaders. The participants were highly engaged in exploring what leadership means in our context and what options women journalists have to overcome gender-based barriers. During the workshop, we also examined the power structures within media organizations, unions, and press clubs, and discussed how influential these structures are. The women participants actively contributed to designing a practical support network for women journalists that truly works.” said Irfana Yasser, co-trainer and senior journalist at BBC World.

“The leadership training was a very important workshop. We learned a lot and it helped to develop practical leadership skills that will enhance the participants’ confidence, visibility, and effectiveness within the media sector.” said Hina Durrani, a training participant and reporter at Associated Press Pakistan (APP).