NCHR and MMfD Launch UNESCO Fellowship on Digital Rights and Gender Inclusion

ISLAMABAD: On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), in collaboration with Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD), has announced a groundbreaking training fellowship aimed at strengthening journalists’ ability to report on digital rights and internet governance through a gender-sensitive and rights-based lens. The initiative is supported by UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) and is in line with NCHR’s efforts to promote Pakistan’s Digital Gender Inclusion Strategy.

The fellowship, set to empower 12 journalists, will provide them with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively report on digital rights and gender inclusion issues. By enhancing investigative journalism, the fellowship seeks to shed light on challenges related to digital gender inclusion, while fostering public awareness through sustained media engagement across both mainstream and digital platforms.

Rabiya Javeri Agha, Chairperson of NCHR, emphasized the importance of addressing the persistent gender digital divide in Pakistan. She stated, “Despite increased digital penetration in Pakistan, a persistent gender digital divide continues to limit women’s full participation in the digital ecosystem. Journalists play a critical role in raising awareness, influencing public discourse, and holding institutions accountable.”

The fellowship’s training will blend theoretical knowledge with practical skill-building, focusing on topics such as Internet Universality, UNESCO’s ROAM-X framework, Pakistan’s digital gender landscape and policy ecosystem, gender-sensitive reporting techniques, investigative journalism methods, and legal frameworks including PECA. Sessions will also cover digital safety mechanisms and editorial development.

Sadaf Khan, Co-Founder of MMfD, highlighted the need for informed and nuanced journalism to address digital gender inclusion. “Advancing gender inclusion in digital spaces requires informed, nuanced journalism. Today, digital technologies continue to shape how information is accessed and controlled, making it essential for journalists to report on these issues with a rights-based and gender-sensitive lens,” she said.

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The fellowship will follow UNESCO’s global guidelines on gender inclusion and internet governance, but will be specifically tailored to the Pakistani context through contributions from NCHR. This ensures that the training aligns with national priorities and reflects Pakistan’s regulatory landscape. NCHR will also provide insights into institutional responses, human rights protections, and the enforcement of digital safety policies.

Following the workshop, selected fellows will enter a mentorship and content development phase, where they will be paired with experienced journalists or editors for personalized guidance on refining their story angles, conducting research, and navigating editorial processes.

Applications for the fellowship are now open, and interested journalists can apply online at https://forms.gle/ycYhYjoo8kXfbDd86 by May 15, 2025.