As the globe commemorates International Women’s Day 2025 with the theme “Accelerate Action”, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has called for urgent action to address the increasing violence faced by female journalists within and outside newsrooms.
The organization noted the critical need for safe spaces in both newsrooms and digital environments to ensure that women journalists can perform their work without fear of harm, discrimination, or harassment.
This call comes in the wake of troubling statistics and reports around the world.
According to a 2021 global study led by UNESCO, nearly 73% of women journalists experience online violence. This finding is particularly alarming as online abuse and threats continue to rise alongside the proliferation of digital platforms.
A closer study, in 2024 by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Nigeria and CID documented similar challenges faced by female journalists in the country, including sextortion, sexual harassment, and physical assault.
Busola Ajibola, the Deputy Director of the Journalism Programme at CJID, opined that the rise in violence against female journalists is an urgent issue that demands attention.
She noted that women face a range of threats, from sexual harassment to physical assault, often from those in positions of power—security agents, colleagues, and even the public.
“The violence women face in journalism does more than jeopardize their personal safety; it also reduces the integrity of journalism itself. As Ajibola explained, “When female journalists are subjected to violence, it limits their ability to cover important stories, especially those that are perceived as dangerous. This not only stifles their professional growth but also reduces diversity in storytelling.”
“The impact of this violence is also psychological. Female journalists who face these threats report a significant decrease in mental well-being. The constant fear of violence leads to diminished confidence, lower productivity, and in some cases, the decision to abandon potentially important stories. Many women also feel unsafe in the workplace, yet fear reporting incidents due to inadequate support systems and concerns about retaliation,” she added.
The theme for the International Women’s Day 2025, “Accelerate Action,” comes as a timely reminder to address growing concerns surrounding women.
“Empowerment for female journalists begins with safe work environments, whether in the newsroom or online,” Ajibola remarked. “Safe spaces are not optional. They are essential to ensuring that women can freely contribute to shaping the narratives that define our societies.”
In addition to the emotional and professional impacts, the growing prevalence of violence against women journalists poses a risk to the broader media landscape. As reports from the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reveal, two-thirds of women journalists globally have experienced gender-based violence. This is compounded by the rise of digital platforms, where harassment is often anonymous and pervasive.
CJID has called on media organizations, policymakers, and civil society to take meaningful action to combat these threats. The organization stresses the need for effective and confidential reporting systems to encourage victims to come forward.
Furthermore, workplace policies should be strengthened to protect female journalists, while training programs on digital safety are necessary to address the growing issue of online abuse.
Ajibola emphasized that protecting female journalists is not just a matter of ethics but is crucial for ensuring the media remains a vital force for democracy.
“Journalism plays a fundamental role in holding power to account and promoting transparency. If we want journalism to fulfill its democratic function, we must make sure female journalists can work safely and without fear,” she said.
The CJID urged all stakeholders to move beyond awareness and take concrete steps toward creating spaces where women in journalism can thrive, free from the threat of violence.