With the overall support of Article Nineteen and funding from Global Affairs Canada, the Bangladesh Journalists Protect Committee (BJPC) distributed nine laptops to women journalists, generating great enthusiasm among the journalists.
The journalist community is seeing not only praise but also a glimmer of hope.
At a time when journalists in this risky profession were suffering from depression, financial crisis, and pay inequality, Global Affairs Canada seemed to show a ray of hope. On February 1st, nine laptops were distributed among female journalists from Dhaka, Khulna, Bagerhat and Gopalganj through a grand ceremony at the Khulna Press Club.

Presenting as the chief guest at the laptop distribution ceremony, Khulna Press Club convener and Khulna Bureau Chief of Daily Ittefaq Enamul Haque said, “I have never seen laptops distributed like this among journalists in my journalistic career. In fact, if journalists get a little help, they can play a big role in reporting news and working for the development of the country and its people. Due to insecurity, the participation of women journalists in the world of journalism has decreased a lot. However, today, through this step, women journalists will become stronger in their field of work.”

Abu Hena Mustafa Jamal Poplu, President of TV Reporters Association, said, “Article Nineteen has been working with journalists for a long time, and women journalists are now enjoying the benefits of the formation of the Bangladesh Journalist Protect Committee under the umbrella of such a large organization. We are grateful to Article Nineteen and their Global Affairs Canada.

Mustafa Sarwar, president of the Khulna Newspaper Council, said, “This is an example not only in Khulna but also in the history of Bangladesh.” The distribution of laptops to 9 female members of the Bangladesh Journalists Protection Committee, funded by Global Affairs Canada in collaboration with Article Nineteen, will go down in history as a milestone in the world of journalism. We hope that this organization will continue to stand by journalists and encourage more female and male journalists.
Receiving a laptop, The Observer reporter Israt Jahan said, “I have been subjected to various discriminations including humiliation and humiliation in the journalism profession in a male-dominated society. Today, I received a laptop as a gift from the Bangladesh Journalists Protect Committee, funded by ARTICLE 19 and Global Affairs Canada, as a result of my work.”Receiving the gift boosted my morale and I will be motivated to report better in the future.

Anisur Rahman Karir, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Journalists Protection Committee, said, “When the 2024 organization was formed through a project funded by the European Union in collaboration with Free Press Unlimited and Article Nineteen, we could not have imagined that Article 19 would stand by us like this, considering it their own organization. We are overwhelmed, we are happy, we are feeling brave today that there is an organization named Article Nine by our side. Today we can show the light of hope to journalists. We can tell male and female journalists, you work on the front lines, don’t be afraid, we have an organization named Article 19 by our side.”

Kaushik Dey, president of the Bangladesh Journalist Protection Committee, said, “Journalism is inherently risky. Then, if they are women, they have to go through various obstacles. This kind of cooperation will encourage them. In addition, they need regular training and monitoring. Cooperation is also needed in the field of men. If journalists are professionally skilled, the door to objective journalism will open.”