Gendered Gatekeeping and Professional Autonomy among Women Journalists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Women journalists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan, work at the intersection of gendered newsroom practices and a conservative social environment. This qualitative study examines how socio-cultural norms shape women’s entry into journalism, everyday reporting, career development, and relations with media organizations. In-depth interviews with seven women journalists working in Peshawar were analyzed thematically. Five interconnected barriers emerged: gender-based harassment and unequal public treatment; workplace inequality and restricted access to hard-news beats and decision-making; family restrictions on mobility and career choice; religiously framed expectations concerning veiling and public visibility; and misconceptions that associate women’s journalism with entertainment. These constraints operate before, during, and beyond newsroom work, collectively affecting professional autonomy, safety, mobility, and retention. The findings highlight the need for gender-responsive assignment practices, effective anti-harassment and safety mechanisms, mentoring, and greater inclusion of women in editorial decision-making. Broader public and family engagement is also important because occupational barriers are reinforced by social attitudes outside the workplace. The study contributes localized evidence on women journalists in KP and demonstrates that organizational responses must address the wider socio-cultural conditions shaping their professional participation.

Keywords: Women Journalists; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Pakistan; Gender; Socio-Cultural Barriers; Qualitative Research; Journalism.