Relevant aspects of the Kudumbasree movement are not being discussed in the media, said M.K. Muneer, Minister for Panchayat and Social Welfare. He said the media focussed more on the politics of the movement and political moves against it.
He was inaugurating the seminar on ‘Women in Media’ organised as part of the 14 anniversary celebrations of Kudumbasree here on Saturday. Kudumbasree has risen itself to be worthy of a Magsaysay Award and its social relevance needs to be analysed elaborately, he said.
Media has the potential to ensure women get their rightful due in society. It should focus on issues like neglect faced by women in different segments of society, attacks against women, gender discrimination, alienation, and inequality. Instead of bracketing women as homemakers their abilities should be highlighted, he said.
Media has evolved along with new socio-economic reforms like globalisation. It is no longer a tool for reporting events, but a vital instrument in forming public opinion. It should be intelligently employed for the empowerment of women.
Similarly, social media could also be used to generate debates and form public opinion against instances of atrocities or discrimination against women, the Minister said.
Eldhose Kunnappally, president, District Panchayat, presided over the event. Abdulla Mattanchery, president, Ernakulam Press Club; Sherly Stephen, N.A. Khalid and S.P. Kunjumohammed, members, governing body executive committee, Kudumbasree; Chandrahasan Vaduthala, District Information Officer; and Asim Labba P.A., assistant district mission coordinator, Kudumbasree, spoke.
In the seminar that followed, topics related to positioning of women in the contemporary media scene and their roles were presented and discussed. P. Rajan, veteran journalist; Geeta Bakshi, of Nostalgia Magazine; Usha Manohar, of Press Trust of India; Jisha Elizabeth, of Madhyamam; M.K. Geethakumari, of Gruhasobha magazine and Jyothy Narayanan, rights activist; presented various themes. K.A. Francis, chairman, Kerala Lalitkala Akademi, moderated the discussions.
