A day-long workshop was held in Gazipur to highlight the experiences, challenges and opportunities of women workers in the readymade garment (RMG) industry amid automation and the green and just transition.
Organised by the Centre for Communication Action Bangladesh (C-CAB) on Monday, the workshop was attended by 55 journalists working for various mainstream media outlets in Gazipur, said a press release.
Held under the second phase of the Aparajita Project, funded by the H&M Foundation, discussions covered the role of women workers, improvements in their livelihoods, skills development, the impact of technological changes, carbon emission reductions and the just transition towards net-zero targets.
C-CAB Executive Director Zayn Mahmud, who facilitated the workshop, said conventional media coverage of the country’s RMG industry often fails to give adequate attention to carbon emission reductions, a just transition and the impact of technological changes on women workers. He noted there are considerable opportunities to produce analytical and investigative reports on these issues.
Discussions also emphasised the need to move beyond negative perceptions and stereotypes in news coverage and highlight women workers’ contributions, experiences and aspirations. The use of gender-sensitive language in reporting was also discussed.
At the end of the workshop, participating journalists submitted proposals for news reports focusing on improving the living standards of women garment workers and ensuring a just transition.
The organisers said similar workshops would be arranged for journalists in Dhaka and Savar. Fellowships will be awarded for the 10 best story proposals, with each recipient required to publish at least three reports on the subject.
