By Sarah NEGEDU
Female journalists in Nigeria are calling for urgent action to end what they described as an “apparent normalization” of gender-based attacks in the media, warning that harassment, intimidation, sexual violence and cyberbullying are driving women out of the profession.
In a communique adopted at the end of a two-day workshop on the safety of female journalists held in Abuja, participants said the growing trend of unpunished assaults on women in the media is eroding press freedom and undermining Nigerians’ right to information.
The communique observed that, “Despite the widespread nature of attacks on journalists in Nigeria, perpetrators of such attacks continue to act with impunity as they are never brought to justice and are never held accountable.
“The persistent culture of non-accountability discourages journalists from pursuing justice and emboldens perpetrators.”
The workshop, organised by Media Rights Agenda, MRA, with support from the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, IFEX, brought together female journalists from print, broadcast and online platforms, along with editors, civil society activists and legal practitioners.
Sessions examined gendered and non-gendered attacks, legal remedies, safety planning and creating safer newsrooms.
Participants faulted the failure of many media organisations to stand by staff facing threats or attacks, saying it leaves victims “more vulnerable as they lack the capacity to confront these challenges alone and unassisted. They also noted that most existing safety frameworks fail to address gender-specific threats or deter gender-based crimes.
They therefore urged the Federal and State Governments to “publicly condemn all attacks on journalists, particularly against female journalists, and ensure that thorough investigations are conducted while perpetrators are prosecuted and punished in accordance with the law.”
They also called for gender-sensitive newsroom policies, stronger legal protections and the creation of a national protective network for female journalists through the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ.
The communiqué further recommended that media proprietors take primary responsibility for the safety of female staff by providing legal support, security training, psychological counselling and other resources, especially during high-risk assignments such as elections and protests.
Reaffirming their commitment to advancing their safety and rights, participants said: “The safety of female journalists is central to media freedom, democracy, and national development.”
