Thirty-two female students from four leading universities in Bangladesh have completed an intensive three-day training programme designed to cultivate the next generation of women leaders in the media industry.
The workshop, held from 9 to 11 May at the Gono Kalyan Trust (GKT) in Manikganj, was organised under the Women Media Leaders of Tomorrow (WMLT) initiative, part of the Sweden-based Fojo Media Institute’s AGILE project.
Supported by the European Union, the initiative was conducted in collaboration with the Bangladesh Communication and Journalism Educators Network (BCJEN). Participants were selected from the University of Dhaka, the University of Rajshahi, Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), and the University of Barishal.
Departing from traditional classroom methods, the training utilised experiential and participatory learning.
The curriculum focused on defining leadership in journalism, with a specific emphasis on self-leadership, the importance of role models, and strategies for surviving in challenging media environments where remuneration and working conditions are often uncertain.
Participants explored the career trajectory from entering the profession to achieving newsroom leadership, distinguishing between effective leadership and basic supervision or management. Sarsathi Forsberg, former Executive Director of the Fojo Media Institute, served as a consultant for the sessions.
The programme also featured insights from prominent media professionals, including Sheikh Tanveer Mahmud, Bengali Editor of the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN); Fahim Ahmed, CEO of Jamuna Television; journalists Jesmin Papri and Nazia Afrin; and Mariam Aziz Maurin, Staff Correspondent for Channel 24.
Additionally, former students from the first WMLT batch – Shubha Tahsin of the University of Chittagong and Halima Akter of Daffodil International University – shared their professional experiences.
A vital component of the workshop addressed security and professional resilience in the face of workplace risks and harassment.
Using the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) Sexual Harassment Handbook, students were taught how to identify, document, and respond to threats and harassment in the field and the newsroom.
Facilitators emphasised that harassment and abuse are not “normal parts” of journalism and highlighted available legal and institutional protections.
Reflecting on the experience, Tanzila Tasnim, a student from Dhaka University, stated that the training helped reduce her fear of field reporting and provided practical skills in newsroom management and tackling workplace harassment.
She noted that learning about legal protections and opportunities like GIJN fellowships boosted the confidence of students, particularly those from outside the capital.
Tasmin Kalam from the University of Barishal described the sessions as “informative and inspiring,” noting that the mentorship helped enhance her teamwork and professional leadership skills.
The WMLT initiative is part of AGILE, a global consortium (2025–2028) funded by the European Union to strengthen independent journalism worldwide.
The consortium includes Internews Europe, Fojo Media Institute, CFI Développement Médias, Thomson Media, and Article 19. Within this framework, Fojo Media Institute leads efforts to develop future journalism leadership.
