The Mooknayak's Geetha Receives Jury Appreciation Citation at 14th Laadli Media Awards

New Delhi- The 14th Laadli Media Awards for Gender Sensitivity recognized The Mooknayak Editor, Geetha Sunil Pillai with a Jury Appreciation Citation for her outstanding ground report from Rajasthan's tribal region. Her piece, titled "Rajasthan Election Ground Report: A Market Witnessing Tribal Daughters Choosing Stitching Over Studies for Daily Survival," was selected in the Web News Report – English category. The report, published on The Mooknayak, delves into the lives of tribal women in Banswara, exposing the harsh realities they face despite government initiatives aimed at empowering them.

The jury commended Pillai's ability to bring forth a nuanced perspective in her report. The story takes readers deep into the remote areas of Rajasthan, where slogans like 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' seem to exist only as empty promises.

In an official email from the Laadli Media Awards, the organizers also expressed their appreciation for Meena Kotwal, the Founder of The Mooknayak, for her efforts in promoting gender sensitivity in media reporting.

The Mooknayak's investigation reveals a troubling scenario: in a region where employment opportunities are scarce, tribal girls are forced to choose work over education. The once-aspirational goals of studying are overshadowed by the immediate need to support their families.

Women bearing burden of sustaining households

In Banswara, a district near the borders of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, the economic situation is dire. Men face an acute employment crisis, leaving the burden of sustaining households on women. Girls, many of whom should be in school or college, are compelled to abandon their studies and take up tailoring to make ends meet. The constant hum of sewing machines in the markets of Kushalgarh, the district's largest town, is a testament to their struggle.

Pillai's report paints a vivid picture of these women, predominantly from tribal communities, who display remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. They not only support their families but also bear the responsibility of educating their younger siblings. However, this self-reliance is born out of necessity rather than choice. The report highlights how these young women are forced into this work by economic pressures and limited opportunities.

Each day, these girls travel several kilometers from their villages to the markets of Kushalgarh, where they engage in labor-intensive work. Some manage to balance their studies with their jobs, while others are forced to give up on education entirely. Despite the challenging circumstances, their commitment to their families and their pursuit of education remains unwavering.

The Laadli Media Awards for Gender Sensitivity, organized by Population First, celebrate media efforts that promote gender equality and women’s rights. The 2024 edition of the awards ceremony was held in Mumbai on September 4.

Notably, in 2022, Meena Kotwal, founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Mooknayak, received Laadli Media Appreciation Citations for her impactful stories. She was honored in the categories of "Jury Appreciation Citation" for the story titled 'HATHRAS PEEDITA KO GAYE AAJ EK SAAL HO GAYE, DARR KE SAYE MEIN JEE RAHA HAI PARIVAR…!' (Hathras case marks one year, the family living in the shadow of fear) and 'DELTA MEGHAVAAL MAMALE MEIN DOSHIYON KO SAZA…' (The culprits in the Delta Meghwal case convicted).