68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

Parallel Event on the Safety of Women Journalists

Our Stories, Our Struggles: Strengthening Safety Mechanisms for Women in Media

March 19, 2024, 10:30 a.m. Chapel of the Church Center for the United Nations (CCUN)

International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) Philippines

Background

The IAWRT chapter in the Philippines connects journalists, researchers, filmmakers and academics through training programs, research and publications, and different events that provide a venue for exchange and collaboration. The Philippine chapter is composed of female editors, journalists, journalism and communication educators, filmmakers and researchers from different parts of the country—a diverse community working toward addressing challenges faced by women in and around the media and maximizing opportunities for the development of the same. As of November 2023, IAWRT Philippines has over 55 active members from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

IAWRT Philippines has implemented and pioneered the Digital Safe House project, which connects women journalists under attack to relevant programs and services they need. The Philippine chapter also participated in the multi-stakeholder, participatory crafting of the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists.

Parallel Event Overview

The 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), from March 11 to 22, 2024, follows the priority theme, “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective.” The session will also review the conclusions of the 63rd session, “Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.” In line with these, IAWRT Philippines’ parallel event for the 68th Session of the CSW aims to contribute to the acceleration of the achievement of gender equality and empowerment of women, particularly those in the newsroom, by promoting the strengthening of institutions’ safety policies and mechanisms.

Aside from IAWRT Philippines, representatives from IAWRT Afghanistan and USA will share their stories too.

The parallel event will run for 90 minutes–from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon–on March 19, 2024, Tuesday. It will be held at the Chapel of the Church Center for the United Nations (CCUN), 777 United Nations Plaza corner of 44th Street and 1st Avenue.