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ISLAMABAD, Dec 27 (APP):A two-day leadership training workshop for women journalists to equip women working in the media sector with practical leadership, negotiation, safety and decision-making skills was conducted in Islamabad.
The intensive training, organized by the Institute for Research, Advocacy and Development (IRADA) with support from the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), brought together young women journalists from the twin cities to reflect on leadership avenues and build collective strategies to advance gender equity in media institutions, said a press release issued by IRADA here Saturday .
Through interactive sessions, discussions and practical exercises, the participants explored how leadership functions within the media sector and how women can assert influence to ensure safe, supportive, and inclusive workplaces.
The first day of the training focused on the foundations of leadership and navigating power structures within newsrooms. The sessions addressed leadership competencies, wage gaps, and negotiating assignments and promotions.
The day-two focused on leadership beyond the newsroom, particularly within press clubs, unions and journalist associations. The participants examined press club politics and practices.
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.
The IRADA and CFLI also plan to expand these trainings to Lahore and Karachi, aiming to train more women journalists in early 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 exclusion, and build solidarity.
By investing in women journalists’ leadership, safety, and collective strength, we are working toward a more inclusive and accountable media sector,” said Salwa Rana, Program 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 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 develop practical leadership skills that will enhance participants’ confidence, visibility, and effectiveness within the media sector,” said Hina Durrani, a training participant and reporter at Associated Press Pakistan (APP).