Speakers at a virtual discussion observed that women have limited opportunities to participate in the labour force in Bangladesh.
They said the bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia has given a chance to unskilled women to migrate free of cost.
Migration experts, researchers and officials, joining the webinar, suggested for promoting a balanced media reporting on women migration with a view to ensuring good governance in this sector. They said imbalanced news reporting are harmful than helpful to women aspirants seeking scopes for a better life through migrating abroad with employments.
The speakers made their observations on Saturday at webinar on ‘Media Representation of Women Migrant Workers: A Critical Look’ jointly organised by Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) and Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID), and Drishti Research Centre (DRC) on Saturday. Economist Dr Nazneen Ahmed presented findings of a study on the above-mentioned topic at the webinar. Referring to the study, Dr Nazneen said negative news reporting regarding female migration is dominating in Bangladeshi media.
No doubt, journalists are usually picking reports for the wellbeing of women workers, but it sometimes becomes harmful because of their improper wording or the way of presentation, Dr Nazneen said.
The study found 496 migration-related news articles published from 2015 to 2021 in the four newspapers. Out of those, 147 articles focused on women while 21 were positive, 99 were negative, and 26 highlighted both positive and negative aspects.
The study scrutinizes how overseas female migrants are characterised and stereotyped in print and electronic media and how they are characterised by gender, class, and geographical origin. The research studied migration-related news published in widely circulated national dailies and reports aired on television channels.
The study was complemented with the interviews of senior journalists and activists while relevant secondary data, research studies, and regulations were also consulted.
Women have limited opportunities to participate in the labour force in Bangladesh. The bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia has given a chance to unskilled women to migrate free of cost. This is a welcome opportunity for many women to earn more and improve their living conditions and that of their families.
Dr Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment attend the event as the chief guest while special guest was Igor Bosc, chief technical adviser, Work in Freedom, ILO. S M Rashidul Islam, general secretary of ERF moderated programme and it was chaired by Sharmeen Rinvy, president of ERF, Madame Therese Blanchet, special anthropologist delivered introductory remarks and Dr M Abu Eusuf , professor , Dhaka University and executive director of RAPID welcome remarks.
Dr MA Razzaque, chairman, RAPID and director of PRI, Shafiqul Alam, bureau chief of AFP of Bangladesh, Arafat Ara, staff reporter at The Financial Express were present at the event as discussants.
