these women face hardships in their daily lives. They work hard to share the truth but earn very little money, making it challenging for them to make ends meet.
These women journalists also lack opportunities to grow in their careers. Society’s biases and norms keep them from progressing, creating barriers to success. Additionally, harassment is a serious issue for them. They experience mistreatment and threats, which affects their safety and well-being. Despite their valuable contributions to journalism, their concerns are often disregarded.

The women are brave enough to enter the field of journalism and report unpleasant war scenes. However, female journalists in Balochistan are far from being treated as equals as in other provinces of Pakistan. In addition to political, cultural, and structural disparities, female journalists suffer badly from economic insecurities, while reporting in war zones. The risk and challenges they encounter daily are least appreciated or paid for. They face several issues at the workplace that keep them at the margins of their profession like gender bias, unequal pay, financial instability, and limited job security.
Journey as a Female Journalist
Attiya Akram who is one of the first female journalists of Balochistan shares her story that she had no brother and that in their families it’s very important to have a son so that he can continue the family legacy and can keep the family name alive but Attiya Akram said we were unfortunate because my father always wished for a son. Looking to that Attiya Akram always kept her Father’s surname and never changed it even after she got married, looking forward to this Attiya completed her master’s degree in international relations, and back then there was no concept for females working in the media field.
My dream of becoming a CSS officer had to be put on hold due to my family’s financial situation said Attiya. To support my family, I made the difficult decision to work as a coordinator at an NGO. However, fate had other plans for me. Through my mother’s reference, I discovered an opportunity at a news channel, which led me to join ARY News as an intern back in 2005.

Despite having no prior experience, I dedicated myself to learning the intricacies of fieldwork, ticker writing, and press conference coverage. Putting in immense effort, I produced numerous news packages during my 1.5-year journey. However, despite my relentless dedication, I couldn’t help but feel disheartened as I saw no appointment on the horizon. Balancing my NGO work in the mornings with my evening commitment at ARY, I persevered in the face of uncertainty.

After two years of dedicated hard work as an intern, my hard work finally paid off when I was offered a permanent position as a female reporter at ARY News in 2007. As a newly appointed reporter, my basic salary stood at 22 thousand, and I was entitled to receive an additional 100-liter fuel allowance as well as 2000 for my mobile bill with a car for my pick and drop service. It was a huge amount at that time said Attiya.

During that period, media houses followed a policy that required reporters to physically be present at coverage points and provide footage as proof of their presence. This policy was implemented to ensure accurate and authentic reporting. following the policy,  once I was at the Rally of Baloch missing persons, my getup was quite different from other females who were there in the rally they thought of me as if I belonged to a security department. She said, my camera person saw that they have pointed a gun at me from behind, and he immediately told them in their local language that she is a reporter and she’s with us.
Even facing such circumstances I never quit my job she said.
Attiya Akram says “Journalism is an addiction, and we can no longer live without this intoxication”

At that time journalists had huge respect in society said Attiya, but as time changed journalists lost their value, and one of the reasons I think is Social Media. Social media has become a breeding ground for spreading fake news with ease, making it increasingly difficult for people to trust the information they come across. “I’m not against social media but Because of social media many youngsters especially females prefer to work as a freelancer and are afraid to work in the field due to fewer female, media houses not focusing on female journalist issues. Attiya believes that media houses should recognize female journalists as breadwinners in their households and pay them based on their experience. She shared that her current basic salary is only 15 thousand, and she doesn’t receive any fuel allowance. After taking a break from her marriage, she returned to work, but this was the salary they offered her.

We should buy our shroud because we don’t know if we’ll have enough money tomorrow. Our salary doesn’t come on time, and we struggle to make ends meet, living hand-to-mouth with an empty bank balance, We face a lack of job security, as we can lose our job at any time if there is a downfall or downturn in the economy said Attiya.
Talking about the current situation Attiya said many young people, especially women, are hesitant to choose journalism as a career because universities don’t prepare them well. They think journalism is mainly about working in a studio, and when they realize it involves fieldwork, they become uncertain, resulting in fewer female reporters on the ground. To address this issue, universities should implement a bureau system where students can engage in practical work, such as writing news stories and attending press conferences. This hands-on experience will better prepare aspiring journalists for the real challenges of the field and help them understand the practical aspects of journalism beyond just theory.
Attiya said only 4 female journalists are working in Balochistan and to change this situation Girls should enter the field to increase their market value, media houses will feel pressured to address female issues and offer better pay. Meaningful change requires the collective effort of many females, not just a few protests or voices.

Journalists working in Balochistan are like General physicians Says Attiya, because we work in every field and possess expertise across all beats.

Bushra Qamar’s experience as GTV’s Bureau chief from Balochistan validates Attiya’s concerns. She highlighted certain ground realities. According to Bushra, three universities in Balochistan offer media and journalism courses. Among them, two universities follow a co-education system, while the third one is exclusively for females. Despite around 90 female students graduating each year with a degree in journalism, it’s disheartening to note that there are no female representatives in newspapers or TV channels. She points out that while the channels may share some responsibility, there is also a lack of serious consideration from girls to pursue this field as a profession. Firstly, the universities in our region are failing to adequately educate students in journalism. This field is not solely theoretical; it requires practical skills, particularly in daily reporting, which many students lack. Furthermore, the limited job opportunities for females in journalism can be attributed to the various challenges they face. In Balochistan’s traditional culture, there are restrictions on female mobility, making it difficult for them to report from every location. Additionally, after getting married, some females are unable to continue their jobs due to societal norms, leading channels to hesitate in appointing female reporters.
According to Bushra, in the past, women enjoyed a great deal of respect in society. When she walked down the street, men would make way for her to pass, indicating the level of respect and consideration for women. However, she observes that times have changed, and the prevailing mentality has shifted. Nowadays, there is a negative perception of working women, and some people view their presence as a negative influence on society. Bushra believes that this change in mentality is not reflective of the true people of Balochistan but somewhat influenced by outsiders who have brought with them a different perspective. As a consequence of this shift in mindset, the social environment has become harsher for females in Balochistan. They face more challenges and obstacles, making it difficult for them to pursue their aspirations and careers.
‘’I’ve been harassed, I had a fight but my neighbors because they thought if i’m going out to work men are allowed to harass me, shout behind my back make fun of me. Once I was at court for coverage over there I was abused by Lawyers, they snatched my mobile while I was covering my story, pushed me away, and dragged me by my arm”.
The contrast between the respect women used to receive and the current situation highlights the need to address these changing attitudes and work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive society for women in Balochistan.
Bushra emphatically states that she did not attain the position of Bureau chief through flattery or monetary means. Her journey to this position has been marked by a decade of hard work and dedication. She has faced numerous challenges, including being a victim of bomb blasts and floods while on coverage assignments. There was a time when she had to spend nine days away from her home, and her life was saved thanks to the help of local people in that area.

However, her journey has not been without trouble. She has encountered harassment and faced unimaginable situations because of the regressive mindset of some individuals. There is a belief among some that women should not be given such opportunities as they might surpass their male counterparts easily. Unfortunately, there is a lack of job security even for males in the field of journalism says Bushra. But we are still dedicated to our profession because we have a passion for journalism. However, the disparity in salary between me and other male Bureau chiefs is a clear example of gender discrimination. It is disheartening to know that my salary is lower solely because of my gender, and it’s unfair that I feel powerless to address this issue.

Bushra expressed her attempts to convince the Head of the Journalism Department to allow her to give lectures to students occasionally. She believes that students would benefit from learning about the practical experiences of working in the field and that a professional’s perspective can enhance their understanding. However, despite her efforts, she has not received any response so far.

As our female journalists have shed light on the ongoing issues faced by journalism students in universities. Babrak Niaz, the head of the Department of Media Studies at the University of Balochistan Says the main problem of Balochistan, affecting both male and female journalists, lies in the issue of low wages. He explained that the media in the private sector of Pakistan operates on a commercial basis, and areas generating revenue receive the most coverage. This leads to increased employment and competitive wages in those regions. However, the situation in Balochistan is different as there is no significant revenue generation for the private sector media. As a result, job opportunities and wages are limited.
Babrak Niaz highlighted that in Balochistan, the media primarily focuses on hard news, with most beats related to crime and other challenging subjects. The scarcity of soft news coverage means there are fewer opportunities for journalists in various fields. Additionally, the conservative society in Balochistan poses challenges for female journalists, making it difficult for them to work freely and comfortably. Consequently, news organizations may be hesitant to hire female reporters due to these societal constraints.
In this context, Babrak Niaz pointed out that the situation is so challenging in Balochistan that Bureau chiefs often find themselves working as reporters, reflecting the tough circumstances faced by media professionals in the region.
Regarding the theoretical issues faced by students in universities, Babrak Niaz expressed that the disparity between what is taught in classrooms and the real-world challenges in fieldwork is not unique to journalism but exists in almost every subject across all universities. To bridge the gap between academia and practicality, the department makes efforts to offer internship opportunities to their students. Babrak highlighted that the success of these internships depends on the student’s level of interest and dedication. Some of their bureau chiefs were selected for positions in news organizations based on their outstanding performance during internships, which highlights the significance of hands-on experience in landing jobs in the industry.
The department provides a three-month internship program to its students, but in last few year’s disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and university strikes affected their goals and impacted students’ studies. However, Babrak noted that since 2015, the department has made substantial progress in incorporating practical work into the curriculum. Students now have opportunities to gain experience in radio journalism, newspapers, and television. Internship opportunities are also offered within the department to provide students with a chance to apply their knowledge and skills.
According to Bushra Qamar’s suggestion, Babrak Niaz shared that the Department of Media Studies has taken steps to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and fieldwork experience for their students. Recognizing that on-field journalists can offer unique insights that lecturers may not possess, they have started conducting guest lectures featuring senior journalists like Manzoor Ahmed, Khaliq Rind, Saleem Shahid, and others. These experienced journalists have shared their practical experiences with the students, providing valuable learning opportunities. Although Bushra Qamar has not been invited as a guest lecturer yet, Babrak Niaz expressed his intention to invite her in the upcoming semester. He believes that having Bushra Qamar as a guest lecturer would not only enrich the student’s knowledge but also serve as a source of motivation for them to pursue careers in the field of journalism because who can better guide females than Bushra Qamar herself because of her experience and excellent skills.

Regarding the challenges faced by females in journalism, we also had an enlightening conversation with a women’s rights activist.
Sana Durrani, a prominent women’s rights activist and leader of a women’s business forum, recently led a consultation to explore the factors behind the limited representation of females pursuing Journalism as a profession in Balochistan. Sana says Despite numerous women completing their master’s in media and journalism each year, there are several obstacles preventing them from entering the field. One significant challenge is the disparity between the theoretical education provided in universities and the practical situation on the ground in Balochistan. The region’s tribal and conservative nature, along with deeply ingrained cultural norms, pose significant barriers for women seeking opportunities in various fields, including journalism. Journalism involves public engagement and often requires standing up for the truth, which can lead to facing threats and challenges. For women, these hurdles become even more daunting, making it difficult for them to pursue careers in this demanding profession.

Additionally, Balochistan’s media industry faces the issue of limited on-screen time, particularly during prime hours. This lack of representation results in fewer opportunities for journalists from the region, as most major media channels have their head offices in other cities and often hire individuals from Balochistan as part-time employees, offering lower compensation.

Overall, the combination of cultural barriers, gender inequality, security concerns, and limited media exposure in Balochistan creates a challenging environment for female journalists to contribute effectively to the field said Sana Durrani.
Sana Durrani also emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of inadequate salaries for journalists in Balochistan. To rectify this situation, she proposed implementing regular salary increments based on performance and experience. Ensuring fair compensation not only recognizes their hard work but also motivates journalists to excel in their profession. Furthermore, Sana emphasized the need for comprehensive benefits and support systems for journalists. This includes setting up pension plans to secure their financial future after retirement, enrollment funds to assist with educational expenses for their families, and access to health facilities to promote their well-being and that of their dependents.
Sana Durrani highlighted the importance of sharing success stories of female journalists from Balochistan as a means of inspiring and encouraging students to pursue careers in journalism. By creating case reports on these accomplished journalists, students can gain valuable insights into what it’s like to work in the field and the challenges they may encounter. These success stories can serve as a source of encouragement for aspiring journalists, especially female students

Babrak Niaz says there are training and workshop opportunities available for our students, but it’s evident that they do not receive as many chances for training compared to those in KP and other provinces. However, in recent years, there have been positive developments with efforts to make space for Balochistan in media-related initiatives. The media department is being included in collaborations, which has been encouraging. Despite the challenges, the department remains proactive in supporting its students, and the best performers are nominated for such training programs to contribute actively.
Regarding the comfort level of females working in the field, Babrak Niaz identifies several factors contributing to their discomfort. Family pressure, societal expectations, camera shyness due to a conservative mindset, and a lack of resources provided by organizations are among the issues females may face. However, he is optimistic that over time, these challenges will be resolved. Babrak firmly believes that female students are as talented and capable as their male counterparts and can compete with anyone. The key lies in providing a supportive environment that boosts their confidence. He hopes that with the support of their families, female journalists will gain the necessary confidence to work in the field, leading to broader acceptance in society and greater focus from organizations on empowering and engaging female journalists.