Media leaders commit to gender-responsive coverage

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Apr. 13: Editors of mainstream Nepali media outlets have expressed their commitment to making news coverage gender-responsive.

At a programme organised in Lalitpur  by four organizations, including UN Women Beijing+30, Media Advocacy Group, editors from ten media houses pledged to publish gender-sensitive news.

At the “Media Compact Signing Ceremony 2026,” which is focused on gender-responsive media targeting women political leaders, the signatories included acting managing editor Ram Prasad Acharya of Gorkhapatra National Daily; editor Balkrishna Basnet of Annapurna Post; editor Raju Pokharel of The Himalayan Times; editor Gunraj Luintel of Nagarik Daily; and Navaraj Kunwar of Butwal Today Media Group.

Similarly, editor Hari Bahadur Thapa of Barakhari.com; editor Kosharaj Koirala of The Republica; editor Pranay Rana of Kalam Weekly; editor Sonia Awale of Nepali Times; and Bimala Bhandari of Gandaki Register also expressed their commitment to promoting gender equality in media.

While speaking at the media compact signing ceremony, UN Women chief Patricia Fernandez Pacheco viewed that the role of the media is important in increasing women's political participation.

Chairperson of the Press Council Nepal (PCN), Dr. Kumar Sharma Acharya, stated that the PCN conducts regular monitoring and takes action if content is found to violate the code of conduct. However, he noted that the council has not been able to perform effectively due to a lack of authority to enforce penalties.

Director General of the Department of Information and Broadcasting, Chabindra Parajuli, emphasised the need to start from within families by encouraging daughters to take on leadership roles. Acting Managing Editor Acharya of Gorkhapatra Daily said that without bringing women to decision-making levels, proportional development, as well as overall development, construction, and prosperity, cannot be achieved.

Chairperson of the Public Service Broadcasting, Dr. Mahendra Bista, stressed that the focus should not only be on the number of news stories relating to women but also on their quality and impact.

South Korean Ambassador to Nepal, Park Tae-young, stated that diversity in media helps promote equality, and this agreement would play an important role in that regard.