Breaking the Leaky Pipeline in Pakistani TV Journalism: Gender-Based Career Barriers, Work-Life Balance, and Informal Networks
Keywords:
Women in Journalism, Gender Inequality Media, Media Career Barriers, Leaky Pipeline Journalism, Work-Life Balance Media, Women in Pakistani MediaAbstract
This research explores the "leaky pipeline" phenomena in Pakistani television journalism, where women continue to be under-represented in senior positions and frequently leave the sector too soon, even if they arrive in large numbers. This study investigates gender-based differences in career development, access to unofficial professional networks, and work-life balance using a quantitative survey of 156 television journalists in Lahore. The results show that female journalists are disproportionately impacted by structural hurdles such rigid work schedules, discrimination in promotions, gendered position assignments, and exclusion from informal networks. The study also emphasizes how these difficulties are exacerbated by parenthood and societal norms. Women's general career hurdles in the media were shown to be strongly correlated with gender-based career barriers. This study provides policymakers and media companies with practical suggestions for fostering more equal and inclusive workplaces through flexible policies, mentorship, and promotion strategies free from prejudice. It promotes the worldwide conversation on workplace equity in journalism and helps close the research gap on gender dynamics in South Asian media businesses.
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