By Moneeza Hashmi

President, Commonwealth Broadcasting Association, UKGeneral Manager International Relations, HUM TV, Pakistan

Women in Media:

Strengthening Democracy through Networking and Shared Cultural Values 

Shared Cultural Values

Strengthening Democracy

Networking

Presentation Outline

Defining Democracy

1. Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.

5. The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community.

2. A political or social unit that has such a government.

3. The common people, considered as the primary source of political power.

4. Majority rule.

Pre-requisites of Democracy

• Rule of law.• Security and peace of person and property.• Equality of education• Equality of opportunity• Basic well-being of citizens• Collective sense of responsibility• Economic growth and stability

Shared cultural values in South Asia:

• Respect of elders

•Respect of family values

•Hospitality and sharing

•Following the authority of our elders

•Respect for our women folk and considering them our honour.

But when we bring this into a democratic framework, what do we find?

Networking for democracy can be done by:

• Trust and confidence building.• Sharing of good practices.• Promoting cross border integration and friendships.

And how do we achieve this?

Through education and awareness

Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the first Muslim woman to be democratically elected Prime Minister of Pakistan addressing the delegates at the 4th UN conference for women in Beijing in 1995 .

Thank you!

Moneeza HashmiPresident, Commonwealth Broadcasting Association, UKGeneral Manager International Relations, HUM TV, Pakistan

E-mail: moneezahashmi@yahoo.co.uk