JHAPA: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said women’s access to and presence in media was still meagre in Nepal. So, time has come to increase their presence as part of their empowerment, she stressed.

During a programme organized by the Nari Sanchar Griha, Jhapa on Sunday, former President Bhandari viewed although women’s presence was gradually increasing in Nepal’s media, it was still subpar. There are few women in news writing, editing and policy making in media houses, she said, underling the need of mainstreaming women journalists.

According to her, women’s role is instrumental in voicing women’s concerns through media. “The issues and problems facing women can be reported sensitively by the women in media because the reporting bears their identity and experience,” she reminded.

Moreover, the former Head of the State praised the passion and competence of working women journalists.

On the occasion, she released a book ‘Women in Media’ published by the Nari Sanchar Griha, Jhapa.

Chairperson of the Griha, Rejina Gautam, informed that the organization had increased the revolving fund to Rs 5 million. Various persons contributed to the fund.