Media urged to highlight women’s health issues
ISLAMABAD, June 13 2006: The media should play a proactive role in creating awareness among the masses on health related issues, said Mushahid Hussain Syed, chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on May 12. Inaugurating a two-day media workshop titled ‘Unsafe pregnancy, unsafe abortion and post abortion care’, organised by the Population Council and Population Reference Bureau, Senator Mushahid said that media should educate people on these vital issues.
Referring to a ‘media revolution’ in the country, particularly after the launch of over 50 electronic media channels in the private sector, Mushahid said that all health related issues including family planning and abortion should be highlighted through the media. While discussing a report, he said that it was an alarming situation that about one million women suffer from unsafe pregnancy, unsafe abortion and post abortion care every year in Pakistan and said that the matter should be dealt with seriously. Senator Mushahid said that poverty, illiteracy and lack of heath facilities were factors causing the situation to worsen and added that creating more awareness through media could save women’s lives.
Referring to press freedom in the country, Mushahid said that all important political, moral and social issues including controversial topics like the Hudood Ordinance and honour killing were being discussed openly through the media. He also referred to a discussion by a private tv channel on the issue of Hudood Ordinance, telecasted on May 11 night and said it was enlightening and informative. He said that the media could also discuss abortion related issues. He said that parliamentary health committees should also discuss issues relating to unsafe abortions.
Mushahid said there were no social or religious taboos in society and religion was not an impediment in discussing issues like family planning. The government, he said, had increased budget allocation for family planning from Rs 4.3 billion to Rs 5 billion, which was a clear indication of the government’s commitment to solving the problem. staff report
Source: Daily Times
Date:6/13/2006
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