A SESSION ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

A SESSION ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

An interactive session with Cristal Williams Chancellor

The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of THE IIS UNIVERSITY organized an interactive session with Cristal Williams Chancellor, Director of Communications, The Women’s Media Centre, Washington, D.C. on Saturday. Ms. Chancellor is on a World Tour for creating awareness regarding Women equality in Media industry. She was accompanied by Mr. Conrad Turner who is working in U.S. Ambassy, Delhi; Dr. K.S. Sharma and Ms. Mandeep Kaul. The session began by Mr. Turner addressing the students regarding his experience in India; promoting equality for women.

Ms. Chancellor discussed about the status of women across the globe in various fields related to media. She stressed on the sensitive issue of women ratio in this sector stating that only 32% of people working in media are women and they are being paid 80% of what men are paid. She had prepared a presentation of her research which stated that in 2014 women were preferred only for speaking roles when 120 movies of 10 countries were explored.

She gave some examples like Ava DuVernay who is famous for creating Women Centric roles and she also runs a television show in US called 'Queen Sugar’. This show is intended to bring a change in the industry and so she only invites women directors in the show. In this era it is believed that beauty is based on looks, clothes and thinness and they are trying to break this stigma.

In US women of color are only 7.95% in news room, 12% in Television and 6% in radio. She also presented various statistics regarding nomination of women in various award functions.

She said, “Media represents how we want to see ourselves.” They have come up with a 'She Source Database’ which provides news sources to women. They also conduct training programmes for 20 women each year making them more media Savvy.

The program was concluded with the interaction with the students present.