At one time, a mainstream paper had a policy against hiring women

The session centred around ‘Women's issues through the lens of journalism’. Esteemed journalists and authors Nirupama Dutt, Veenu Sandhu, and Chandigarh Press Club president Saurabh Duggal engaged in a meaningful dialogue, moderated by independent journalist Arshdeep Arshi.

Dutt recalled a time when a mainstream English newspaper had a policy against hiring Sikhs and women. “It was finally challenged in court and rolled back in the 60s, but after that women were given only select roles, in fact there was no washroom for women, so they had to use the editor’s washroom.” 

She also narrated how she was the courageous enough to break the story about an FIR being registered against ‘supercop’ KPS Gill, who was then the DGP, and the repercussions it had on her career. 

Sandhu underscored the importance of their being reservation for women in Parliament. “We need to at least get the critical mass in!” she exclaimed.   

Asked by Arshi whether not having the luxury to bond with politicians with alcohol in the evenings was a drawback for women, Sandhu denied the same and remarked that there is also a probability of a politician feeding something to a reporter in such a setting.  

Sandhu also lauded the Chandigarh Press Club team for having a male member on the panel. “It is not just women who should speak on women’s issues.”  

Duggal said, “I have seen the difficulties sportswomen go through. One girl, who was training, received a foreboding message from her brothers, as soon as she reached the field that she was to keep her eyes lowered, and if they heard any man talking about her, they should not be held responsible for what may befall her. So, women have trouble getting the same opportunities as men, our society is such that they have to take a career break after marriage as so much responsibility falls on them, then when they get pregnant, there is another break.” 

Dutt summed up the general sentiment saying, “It has been a great adventure! I am glad to see women teeming into the newsroom nowadays.”