The British Council organized a video conference on female affairs and media in collaboration with the Journalism Department, the Public Relations Department and Cardiff University Journalism Department. Participants of both sides discussed the troubles women face day after day in media-related fields, on the stereotypes of female journalists, their image in society and necessary steps that should be taken in order to change these. The debate continued by analysing the treatment of women within the advertising industry and the low salaries they get in comparison to men, despite working in the same field and having the same qualifications as them.
Students spoke about the role of the Civic Society Association in reducing this distorted image and the purpose of lobbying in order to slowly induce a change in society’s perception of the woman. The female students spoke about the admiration they feel when they see female correspondents covering news in hot areas.
Dr.Samar Shunnar, Head of the Journalism Department, called for a conference dedicated to provide new strategies to improve the conditions of female journalists in terms of health, social services and insurance. An-Najah students spoke about the sufferance of Palestinian women because of the Israeli occupation. Ala Yousef, Coordinator of Zajel Youth Exchange Program, described the development of the female journalist in terms of improving her economical and educational conditions as part of a broader social development.Muhamad Kobari, Director of the British Council in Nablus, said the Council supports such activities as a means to encourage cultural exchange between Palestinian and international students, something that is useful and necessary for a better understanding of different perspectives.