A reflection on workplace equity, resilience, and the long road to inclusion.

The Early Days: Proving Worth in a "Men’s World"
When we speak of women confronting workplace harassment and systemic barriers, we must celebrate those who carved paths through sheer determination. My friend Meera, like me, has also been a journalist for 30 long years and has worked in both print and electronic media. She once told me, “I have not been working all these years to prove I am better than men, but to recognise my worth and be of use to society.” Her words echo the quiet resolve of countless women in male-dominated fields.
In the late 1980s, we were a part of India’s first and only television news channel, we were an “elite” group of correspondents. Half of us women, all qualified, confident, and eager to redefine broadcast journalism. Yet, the on-ground reality was stark. As women correspondents in Bangalore, we were often treated as “extra baggage” by male crew members. The cameramen, sound engineers and technicians dismissed our authority. During election coverages, accommodations went to male colleagues first, leaving us to sleep in cars. Our competence was questioned daily; our male peers, however, were effortlessly accepted as “buddies” and leaders.
From Scepticism to Solidarity
Perseverance finally paid off, albeit slowly. Over 15 years, our reporting earned recognition. Our crews who were once dismissive, began to respect our professional prowess. Collaborative efforts replaced hostility. Sound engineers now prioritised crisp audio, cameramen sought the perfect shot, and we became a team. Even though our credibility grew, gendered scrutiny still lingered. Studio anchors faced blunt critiques about sarees, jewellery or lipstick shades. Was this sexism? At the time, we brushed it off as “making the show good.” Today, such remarks ring differently - a reminder of how normalised microaggressions once were.
From Content to Glamour… and Lingering Inequity
In the 80s and 90s, content was king. Deadlines demanded teamwork, not theatrics. But as television’s “grammar” evolved, glamour overshadowed substance. News anchors became celebrities, opinion replaced objectivity and noise replaced reason. For women, this shift had a dual impact: our visibility increased, but so did the scrutiny of our appearances.
Meanwhile, post the “Me Too” movement, consciousness grew in the late 2010s. It was a reflection of the newsrooms and the culture that we silently endured. A once innocuous “You look good today” now raises red flags. While it is a sign of progress, it’s a testament to how far workplaces must go to foster safety.
The Unchanged Reality: Gender Disparity in Media
Decades later, in 2025 parity still remains elusive. A survey conducted in 2023 of India’s top 25 media firms revealed that only 12% of leadership roles were held by women. While frontline reporting may feature more women now, decision-making power is still concentrated among men. Women are still required to prove their merit and juggle career breaks be it for marriage, childcare, or caregiving without any institutional support. Where are the policies to help them re-enter the workforce? Recognition, flexibility, and mentorship are not “perks” but necessities to retain talent and drive innovation.
The Way Forward: Building Respect, Not Stereotypes
True progress demands workplaces where mutual respect transcends gender.
1. Going beyond legal checkboxes, cultivate cultures where feedback on appearance is professional, not personal, and boundaries are non-negotiable.
2. Address systemic gaps by introducing leadership quotas, childcare support, and return to work programs to bridge the leadership gap.
3. Media companies must model equity. Invest in training, sensitise teams on unconscious bias, and publicly commit to gender metrics.
Women shouldn’t have to work twice as hard to prove their mettle. Good work by anyone deserves recognition. As journalists, we champion societal change; let’s demand the same within our industry. Only when newsrooms value capability over charisma, and empathy over ego, can we truly advocate for gender equality.
Maya Jaideep, a veteran journalist, reflects on evolving workplace dynamics through the lens of resilience and the urgent need for institutional allyship.
For organisations seeking to strengthen their PoSH/DEI frameworks, write to us on hello@shesr.in to build inclusive workplaces that empower, retain, and elevate women.
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