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AI&US: Real Talk for women journalists in a changing World

IAWRT Uganda Chapter
Post-Activity Report
Virtual Engagement on Artificial Intelligence and Journalism
Date of Activity: May 4, 2025
Platform: Zoom
Theme: “AI & Us: Real Talk for Women Journalists in a Changing World” Prepared by: Nankwanga Eunice Kasirye DateofReportSubmission:May10th 2025

1. Introduction

This post-activity report provides a detailed account of a virtual engagement hosted by the Uganda Chapter of the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) on May 4, 2025. The event was part of a broader continental conversation commemorating World Press Freedom Day, under the global theme “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.”

IAWRT Uganda localized the conversation under the theme “AI & Us: Real Talk for Women Journalists in a Changing World”, aiming to explore the current realities, knowledge gaps, challenges, and potential solutions regarding AI in journalism from the perspective of African women journalists.

The event emphasized practical engagement, regional knowledge sharing, and collaborative learning, with the goal of positioning women journalists as both subjects and agents in the global AI discourse.

2. Objectives

  •   To unpack what artificial intelligence means in real life for women journalists with limited resources and opportunities.
  •   To explore how AI can both threaten and possibly support women’s survival, voice, and growth in media.
  •   To give women in media a space to learn, speak freely and strategize across borders.

3. Participation

  • Over 40 participants from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Botswana and the USA attended the session, including editors, media trainers, researchers and digital rights activists. The session was conducted via Zoom and featured cross-generational and cross- disciplinary interactions that fostered learning, reflection and solidarity.


4. Session Highlights and Key Speaker Insights

Moderator’s Remarks


NANKWANGA EUNICE KASIRYE – CHAPTER HEAD, IAWRT UGANDA

Nankwanga Eunice Kasirye, convened and moderated the engagement. She opened the session with a reflection on the importance of World Press Freedom Day and the shifting dynamics of journalism in the AI era. She also underscored the multiple barriers that African women journalists continue to face, including:

  •   Low or no pay for journalistic work.
  •   Limited access to appropriate digital tools and AI technologies.
  •  Unreliable, costly internet connectivity and electricity infrastructure.
  •  Scarce professional development and training opportunities.

According to UNESCO, over 45% of journalists in sub-Saharan Africa work without regular pay, while only 28% of women in the region are online. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) further notes that only 19% of women in least developed countries have internet access, compared to 31% of men—highlighting a persistent digital gender divide.
In her remarks, Eunice stated: “As African women journalists, we recognize that no one is coming to save us. We must train ourselves, pool our sources, and build the skills to navigate AI. This is how we reclaim power: by telling our own stories and shaping our own narratives.”


The engagement offered an important space for reflection and solution-building, reaffirming the need for African women to be at the forefront of shaping ethical, inclusive AI tools and practices in journalism.

JOSEPHINE KARANI – CHAPTER HEAD, IAWRT KENYA
Topic: Low-cost AI tools that help women work smarter

Josephine emphasized the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in journalism, particularly its ability to improve newsroom efficiency through tools for transcription, editing, translation and data analysis. However, she cautioned against the unchecked adoption of AI technologies without robust ethical frameworks to guide their use.

She pointed out that the high cost of AI tool subscriptions and the urgent need for training and upskilling remain major barriers for African journalists. Many are already struggling to access basic online training and essential digital tools, making AI adoption even more challenging.

Josephine stressed that while AI can automate certain tasks, the quality of its output depends entirely on the quality of input it receives. “Garbage in, garbage out,” she warned. For female journalists, especially, this means that strong foundational skills are essential. AI can enhance presentation, improve delivery speed and accuracy—but the core of storytelling must still come from the journalist.
Given that AI is emerging at a time when skill gaps and access to credible tools are still significant for many African women journalists, risks such as plagiarism, content manipulation and data misuse are heightened. Josephine emphasized the need for continuous training and reskilling, urging for greater involvement of African women in the development of AI tools. This, she noted, is crucial for safeguarding data, controlling narratives and ensuring that technology reflects African realities.


SHEILA KATZMAN – CHAPTER HEAD, IAWRT USA
Topic: Centralizing Journalists in AI Ethics

Sheila acknowledges that AI is here to stay—it simplifies data analysis, storytelling and editing—but it can never replace the human empathy and courage behind powerful journalism.

While AI poses real threats to jobs, with automation already replacing roles in some parts of the world, especially in the West, she insists that women journalists must not be left behind. She emphasises the need to actively seek training, participate in the design and development of AI tools, and ensure safety, perspectives and interests are embedded in this technological

evolution.

“Let’s take advantage of free, credible training opportunities—like those offered by IBM— while they’re still accessible.” Sheila re-emphasised


SYLVIA NANKYA – JOURNALIST AND MEDIA TRAINER, UGANDA
Topic: Practical Benefits and Challenges of AI Use


Sylvia shared her personal journey from initial skepticism to the creative and strategic use of AI in her work. She highlighted how AI has significantly enhanced her workflow, particularly in the areas of research and audience targeting. Sylvia emphasized the value of AI in improving timeliness, noting that it helps overcome the delays typically associated with traditional methods of filing stories and conducting background research. However, she underscored that the core responsibility for authorship remains with the journalist. According to Sylvia, relying solely on AI without proper oversight can lead to distorted information and misinformation. She stressed the importance of journalists drafting their initial versions and rigorously verifying AI-generated content.

Reflecting on her first encounter with AI, Sylvia recalled a moment when, as Editor-in-Chief at the Uganda Radio Network, she needed to prepare

news scripts and design a flier for a client but had no reporters available. Turning to AI, she was impressed by the quick and effective results it delivered, especially in a time of limited human resources.

Sylvia concluded by reiterating that while AI is a powerful enabler, it must be used with caution. She advised users to carefully read and understand the terms and conditions of any AI tool before adoption, as these vary across platforms.


YVONNE MOKA – SOCIAL JUSTICE JOURNALIST, BOTSWANA
Topic: Online Safety and Abuse of Women Journalists


Yvonne Moka offered a deeply personal and powerful reflection on the escalating threats women journalists face online—particularly those who report on sensitive topics like violence against women and girls.

She began by painting a picture of the media environment in Botswana, where technological change is often met with cultural caution. AI is still seen as something distant, even suspicious. Yvonne clarified that the pace of adoption is slow, not just because of limited access, but due to widespread skepticism about new innovations— especially those tied to technology. This hesitancy, while understandable, leaves many media practitioners lagging behind in leveraging AI tools for their work. Yet ironically, the very people with malicious intent have already embraced these technologies to target journalists with abuse.

As someone who works with several international media outlets, Yvonne often uses digital platforms and tools to execute her assignments. That constant online presence makes her more visible—and more vulnerable. She recounted how she’s repeatedly been targeted with online trolling and abuse for her reporting on gender-based violence. It doesn’t stop at the screen, some of the insults followed her into her home. People she thought would protect her started repeating those same words, breaking her even more.

Her testimony was a sobering reminder that online abuse is not abstract—it’s intimate, invasive and traumatic. For Yvonne, the cost of doing her job has often meant personal harm, emotional distress and professional isolation.

She emphasized the urgent need for systemic protection, calling for institutional mechanisms—not just individual coping—to address AI-fuelled abuse. “It’s not enough to tell us to be strong,” she insisted. “We need clear digital safety protocols, trauma- informed responses and policies that actually protect women journalists—especially those on the frontlines of truth-telling. We cannot fight AI-driven abuse with silence. We need policies and protections, not just resilience.”


FATUMA MATULANGA – CHAPTER HEAD, IAWRT TANZANIA
Topic: Digital Literacy and Resources


Fatuma highlighted the infrastructural and knowledge gaps affecting women journalists in rural and underserved areas. She presented an ongoing initiative to equip 28 press clubs in Tanzania with digital labs.


There is an existing technological gap among African women journalists, rooted in limited resources, lack of digital skills, poor access to electricity and the internet and unavailability of appropriate tools. These structural challenges continue to leave female journalists behind in the digital revolution. To close this gap, we must leverage the few available enablers and advocate for systemic support.

Improving the capacity of individual women journalists requires pushing for minimum wage policies from central governments, pooling resources to create shared learning centres with internet access and promoting the collective use of tools and equipment. This approach fosters a collaborative growth model that ensures no one is left behind.

By holding each other’s hand and embracing diversity as African women in journalism, we can learn from each other—like in Tanzania, where despite limited resources, there are public journalism centres and minimum wage guarantees. This collective spirit can drive towards a more inclusive and empowered media landscape.


5. Key Issues Raised

  •   AI literacy remains low among African women journalists.
  •   AI tools are not always accessible, culturally relevant, or ethically guided.
  •   Gendered online violence is exacerbated by AI-driven content manipulation.
  •   Lack of editorial oversight and overreliance on AI tools threatens journalistic integrity.
  •  Structural inequalities (economic, geographic and digital) hinder inclusive participation in the AI ecosystem.


6. Recommendations and Action Points


Stakeholder Recommendation
IAWRT Global Leadership Develop policy papers on AI, journalism ethics and gender inclusion.
IAWRT Chapters Host periodic learning sessions on AI tools, safety and storytelling innovation.
Media Institutions Integrate AI ethics and literacy into newsroom practice and training.
Journalists Enrol in free AI courses (e.g. IBM Skills Build, Coursera) and practice safety.

Donors & Partners Fund local innovation labs and rural journalism training hubs.
Regional Networks Develop cross-border digital safety protocols and mentorship programs.

7. Outcomes and Next Steps

Immediate Outcomes

  •   Stronger inter-chapter collaboration within IAWRT Africa.
  •   Increased interest in AI learning among women journalists.
  •   Actionable proposals for continued digital empowerment and storytelling innovation.


Next Steps

  1. Share AI Learning Resources: Distribute curated links to free courses and tools.

2. Organize Follow-Up Webinar: Focus on AI misinformation and content verification.

3. Develop Advocacy Paper: Draft a continental position paper on AI and journalism.

4. Establish a Resource Hub: Begin consultations on a shared AI knowledge and learning portal for African women journalists.

IAWRT Parallel Event for CSW 69

CSW 69 Forum 

Section J of the Beijing Declaration: Gains and Reversals

This thought-provoking parallel session, on March 18, 2025, organized by IAWRT USA, had on the panel Birgitte Jallov, Prof. Olga Jurasz, Jennifer Pozner, Racheal Nakitare and Hawa Taylor-Kamara Diallo, and was moderated by Sheila Katzman. 

In 1995, in Beijing, proactive media women – including a number of IAWRT’s veteran members like Frieda Werden – worked together to bring in the section J within the Beijing Declaration, focusing on ensuring a proper representation at all levels of women in the media – and an appropriate portrayal of women in the media, regarding the media not only as channels, but as important feminist platforms, not only for expression but also for interpretation of ‘the world’ through the eyes of women – for women and all other genders. 

So, on March 18, the panelists, representing important perspectives within and around the media, met to take stock of section J of the Beijing declaration focusing on ‘women and media’. In their review they focused on gains and reversals  – covering the broad spectrum from women’s role in the media and portrayal of women, over AI and SoMe and its effect on women in and outside the media and on to the transformatory potential of community media in women’s lives. 

The panel was well attended, both physically and virtually, by IAWRT members and many others concerned with the role of women in the media.

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IAWRT International Women’s Day Celebration

Introduction

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, IAWRT International organised a virtual seminar on the theme ‘Urgency for Women Journalists’ Safety and Security’ on 15 March 2025. The focus was on the pressing need to enhance safety and security for women journalists worldwide. The objectives included:

  • Analysing and reviewing current country-specific and global safety challenges.
  • Discussing sustainable solutions to accelerate safety and security.
  • Identifying legal, policy and institutional barriers to progress.
  • Identifying country specific best practices and interventions that can be replicated.

Participants comprised IAWRT global members, chapter heads and stakeholders from the media sector. Presentations were made by Kenya, the Philippines, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Afghanistan, Nepal, India and the United States chapters, who presented national perspectives and potential solutions.

Opening Remarks
The meeting was moderated by Raziah Quallatein Mwawanga, IAWRT International Board Member, who organised and facilitated the proceedings. She welcomed participants and provided a sobering context for the discussions, noting that while progress had been made towards gender equality and journalist safety, the World Economic Forum estimates it would take five generations to achieve full gender parity at current rates of progress. She emphasised that women journalists could not afford to wait that long for their fundamental rights and safety to be realised and stressed the urgent need for proactive collaboration, peer learning and implementation of best practices to accelerate progress in closing the safety and security gap.

In her opening address, President Jola Mamangun outlined the precarious safety situation facing women journalists globally, citing specific cases of imprisoned journalists in the Philippines and severe restrictions under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. She emphasised the critical need for international solidarity and immediate action to address violence against journalists and support those at risk.

Keynote Presentation: IAWRT-Kenya’s Monitoring & Reporting Programme
Josephine Karani (Head of IAWRT-Kenya and International Board Treasurer) made a presentation on the Monitoring and Reporting Violations on Safety of Journalists Programme, which was established to combat impunity for crimes against journalists in Africa, with particular focus on women. This initiative commemorates the 10th anniversary of the UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists, utilising a digital mapping tool (IAWRT Violations Map)  to systematically document attacks.

Key achievements include the training of 14 journalists across five African regions to undertake documentation. They have documented 116 verified cases including physical assaults, intimidation and threats, online harassment and disinformation campaigns, arbitrary arrests and detentions and economic coercion and censorship.

The interactive mapping system has proven as an effective data collection evidence advocacy tool for policy reform and accountability measures.

Country Safety Profiles & Best Practices
Representatives from nine IAWRT chapters presented detailed analyses of national safety conditions, challenges and successful initiatives. These are summarized below:

A. Success Stories & Best Practices

1. Kenya (Josephine Karani)

o   Implementation of digital monitoring system (IAWRT Violations Map) for documenting attacks

2. Tanzania (Fatuma Matulanga)

o   Establishment of Tanzania Journalists Accreditation Board to enhance professionalism

3. Nepal (Manita Pokharel)

o   Elimination of mandatory journalist registration requirements

o   Introduction of workplace breastfeeding facilities

o   Mandatory 33% gender inclusion quota for all participant events 

B. Key Challenges

1. Afghanistan (Kreshma Fakri)

o   Severe repression of female journalists under Taliban regime

2. Uganda (Eunice Kasirye)

o   Lack of professional solidarity and brutality against journalists exacerbating vulnerability

3. United States (Sheila Kazman)

o   Erosion of public trust in journalism

o   Persistent gendered violence in the media sector

C. Opportunities for Action

·   Philippines: Mobilisation of international pressure for jailed journalist releases

·   India: Strengthen legal protections against online harassment, spying and vandalism on journalists and their equipment

D. Strategic Priorities

·   Policy and legal reforms to combat impunity

·   Increased funding for safety training programmes

·   Adoption of monitoring technologies for evidence-based advocacy

E.  Sustainable Strategies to Accelerate Action

·  Enhanced monitoring systems for accountability

·  Implementation of gender-sensitive policies

·  Industry-wide improvements to journalists working conditions

·  Data-Driven Advocacy: Use of real-time monitoring tools (IAWRT Violations Map) to hold perpetrators accountable.

·  Legal & Policy Enforcement: Mandate gender-sensitive policies (e.g., Nepal’s 33% quota).

·  Criminalize and enforce laws and punishment for perpetrators of online harassment and threats against women journalists.

·  Media Industry Reforms: Improve working conditions (contracts, timely payments, safety protocols).

·  Promote solidarity networks to boycott abusers and support victims.

F. Call to Action

·   Governments to enforce journalist protection laws, Ratify and enforce laws protecting journalists (UN Plan of Action).

·   Media organisations to implement and adopt zero-tolerance violence; and harassment policies

·   International bodies to increase funding for safety initiatives

·   International Bodies (UN, UNESCO): Amplify funding and advocacy for journalist safety.

G. Conclusion
Despite country, regional and global progress, women journalists continue to face disproportionate risks of violence, discrimination and systemic neglect. Addressing these challenges requires:

·   Robust accountability frameworks across legal and policy spheres

·   Adoption and replication of existing best practices the likes of Tanzania, Nepal, Philippines

·   Increased inter Country, Regional and International cooperation to share effective best practices, laws and policies solutions

·   Sustained global advocacy to maintain focus on women journalists safety and security to Accelerate Change and Urgency

The discussions underscored the necessity for coordinated action among governments, media institutions, stakeholders, the public and international organisations to implement and reinforce measures effectively. Without such commitment, the fundamental rights and safety of women journalists will remain under threat, with significant consequences for press freedom and gender equality worldwide.

IAWRT Asian Women’s Film Festival 2025

IAWRT India Chapter

Overview

In the first quarter of 2025, the India Chapter of the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) successfully organized four major activities that showcased its continued commitment to fostering women’s voices in media and the arts. These included the Young Directors’ Workshop, a film competition celebrating women artists, a panel discussion on Women and the Arts, and the milestone 20th edition of the Asian Women’s Film Festival (AWFF).

Young Directors’ Workshop (Feb 10–15, 2025) In partnership with: Delhi Tourism
Location: Delhi
Participants: 25 young women from urban slums, in collaboration with Yellow Streets

This intensive week-long workshop was designed to train young women community journalists in the fundamentals of cinematic language and editing. Facilitated by filmmakers Samina Mishra and Nundrisha Wakhloo, and supported by student mentors from Bennett University, the participants explored themes of freedom, friendship, sadness, and joy through practical filmmaking exercises.

Workshop highlights:

·   Focus on visual storytelling, mise-en-scène, editing, and sound design.

·   Short films produced during the workshop were screened at the opening ceremony of AWFF and received widespread appreciation.

·   Films included titles like Ghar Ka Ehsaas, Jama Masjid Ki Sair, Pinky, Yellow Streets, and Mere Sheher Mein Dhobi Basti.

“Through the workshop, these young women found their voices and the power to tell their stories. It was more than training—it was transformation.”

As partners, Delhi Tourism was prominently featured in all communications and standees throughout the workshop and festival.

Film Competition – Celebrating Women Artists (Call: Jan 17; Winners Announced: Mar 5, 2025) Partners: British Council, Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT)

A nationwide call was put out for films made since 2015 that spotlight the life and work of women artists in India. Open to filmmakers of any gender, the competition received 76 entries, judged by an expert jury of IAWRT members consisting of Jabeen Merchant, Natasha Badhwar, Surabhi Sharma, Deepti Khurana and Sonali Srivastava.

Awards:

·   Jury Award: Ima Sabitri by Bobo Khuraijam

·   Special Mentions: Hello Guyzz by Samiksha Mathur and The Outside In by Hansa Thapliyal

·   Popular Choice Award: Makhfi by Prachee Bajania (determined by YouTube likes, totalling over 14,000 views)

Winners were felicitated at the British Council Auditorium on March 5, 2025.

Panel Discussion – Reframing the Conversation: Women and the Arts (Mar 5, 2025) Venue: British Council Auditorium, New Delhi. Moderator: Ruchira Das, Director Arts (India), British Council

This vibrant and reflective panel explored the intersection of gender and artistic practice. It featured speakers such as Arnika Ahldag, Shweta Bhattad, and Aditi Jaitly Jadeja who brought perspectives from visual art, performance, community-based work, and curatorial practice.

Key themes:

·   Structural inequality in the arts

·   Representation and inclusion

·   Empowerment through community-based art

·   Navigating non-gender sensitized spaces

·   The importance of micro-victories and mentorship

Audience feedback revealed a strong emotional and intellectual response to the conversation, with many calling it eye-opening and transformative.

20th Asian Women’s Film Festival (Mar 6–8, 2025) Venue and primary partners: India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi
Films screened: 65 films from 21 Asian countries
Other partners: National Film Development Corporation, French Institut India, INKO, Japan Foundation

Celebrating two decades of showcasing women’s voices in cinema, this landmark edition was a three-day celebration of artistic excellence, feminist storytelling, and cultural dialogue.

Highlights:

·   Opening film: The Sharp Edge of Peace by Roya Sadat (Afghanistan)

·   Closing film: A Night of Knowing Nothing by Payal Kapadia

·   Curated packages such as A Room of My Own and Unsettled Reality, Tomorrow’s Imagination

·   Screenings of IAWRT collaborative productions: Velvet Revolution and Displacement & Resilience

·   Panels on Memory as Movement and archiving feminist histories

·   An immersive exhibition showcasing feminist archives and storytelling through embroidery

·   Masterclasses by industry leaders including Aparna Purohit and Akiko Ashizawa

·   Homage to late IAWRT members Aruna Vasudev and Manjira Dutta

The festival stood out for its diverse programming, audience engagement, and its firm commitment to building an archive of women’s stories in visual media.

Conclusion

The first quarter of 2025 was a deeply fulfilling quarter for the IAWRT India Chapter, one that saw new partnerships forged, new filmmakers nurtured, and new stories brought into the spotlight. Through community-building workshops, critical conversations, and a landmark film festival, IAWRT continues to uphold its mission of amplifying women’s voices across media platforms.

Safety Conference for Women Journalists focused on Gendered Experiences in Election Coverage

The event brought together women journalists from Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Cotabato City, Marawi City and Davao City, offering a safe space for candid discussions around the unique challenges they face in their line of work.

With support from the British Embassy Manila, the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) Philippines organized a two-day Safety Conference for Women Journalists focused on Gendered Experiences in Election Coverage on March 8-9, 2025. 

The event brought together women journalists from Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Cotabato City, Marawi City and Davao City, offering a safe space for candid discussions around the unique challenges they face in their line of work. 

On the second day of the conference, students from Cavite State University, Philippine Normal University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and University of Santo Tomas participated in the afternoon session. The exchange fostered a shared commitment to safeguarding women journalists.

The event coincided with the celebration of International Women’s Day.

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Mentorship Committee Report April 2024

As indicated in the previous report of November 2023, 11 mentor-mentee pairs were formed initially at the end of October 2023. Of these, 8 pairs took off the ground, with the mentors and mentees being put in touch with each other by the Committee chair. In March 2024, we decided to take stock of the process. Of the 8 pairs, 3 pairs had met more than once, of which 2 pairs took up some work. 3 pairs could not go forward, because the mentees did not turn up in two cases and in one case there was a language issue. The remaining 2 pairs were in touch on WhatsApp but could not initiate any joint work due to either mentor or mentee having issues with giving time. The reasons for the programme not going forward smoothly included family problems, ill health, time zone issues, as well as lack of commitment and communication on the part of the mentees. It is clear from this that the mentorship process is far from smooth and mentee commitment is a serious issue.

We elicited suggestions from mentors and the following came up: screening of mentees to ascertain seriousness and suitability, involvement of mentors in the initial meetings with mentees, starting the mentoring process with a structured input such as an online or offline workshop, combined with project-based learning.

The mentorship programme in Kathmandu held from March 31 to April 4 provided an opportunity to begin to explore a different model of mentorship. Three workshops were held:

  •  Crafting Stories: An Introduction to Scriptwriting for Documentary Film (2 days, Resource Person: Dr. Shilpi Gulati, IAWRT India)
  •  Rethinking Media: Towards Gender-sensitive and Facilitative Engagements with Social Media ( One day, Resource Persons: Dr. Shilpi Gulati, IAWRT India and Mr. Rob Vanwey, USA, cyber security expert)
  •  On Point: Effective Technical Writing (Focus on How to Write Proposals)
    (2 days, Ms. Lynda C. Garcia, IAWRT Philippines)

While the detailed report is being awaited, preliminary reports obtained at a hybrid mentorship committee meeting held during the workshops indicate that all the workshops were well received. The scriptwriting workshop resulted in several projects that have potential of being worked on for funding and production. We are undertaking a programme evaluation with participants to explore the possibility of mentorship opportunities arising out of the workshops. Another issue discussed at the meeting was that the mentorship programme needs to be expanded to include mentees who might not be full-fledged members of IAWRT, but who have some IAWRT connection, eg. Student volunteers, film festival participants etc.

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.

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19th Asian Women’s Film Festival

International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT ) Chapter India’s Asian Women’s Film Festival is held each year to mark International Women’s Day. This year the 19th edition of the Festival will take place 7-9 March 24 at India International Centre, New Delhi. 

Highlights 

50 films, across genres from 20 countries will be screened including a curated section of short films from Iran. A seminar ‘The Today and Tomorrow Documentary’ on Archiving at a time when everything has a digital afterlife, ‘Balancing Acts’ – a 3 day workshop on balancing storytelling and messaging for creators from diverse backgrounds will be held. A Masterclass with the acclaimed Palestinian Film maker Mai Masri from Lebanon and an upskilling session on editing with Amrita David(France) and Jabeen Merchant(India). A session on Consent and Law- exploring consent in a holistic manner will be coordinated by Anjali Moterio Member International Board are the other highlights.The opening film is ‘The Siren’ by Sepideh Farsi is on the human cost of war. Renowned film makers will present their films: Ms. Mai Masri (Lebanon)-Frontiers of Dreams and Feats’, Ms. Shin Su Won (South Korea)- ‘Homage’ and Ms. Amrita David ( France) – ‘Towards Tenderness’. Additionally, there will be exhibitions by Rafooghar and Alka Hingorani.

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Launch of Urdu translation of IAWRT Safety Handbook in Lahore

Text by: Department of Mass Communication, FCCU

A book on Safety Handbook for Women Journalists was launched at the Department of Mass Communication, FCCU on March 15. The book launch event was organized by Faculty of Humanities at Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) in collaboration with Journalism & Media International Center (JMIC), OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway. Dr. Douglas Trimble, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at FCCU was the guest of honor on the occasion.

The book has been written by International War Correspondent and Media Trainer, Ms. Abeer Saady, and has been translated in Urdu by Ms. Sabahat Afsheen.

Dean of Humanities FCCU, Dr. Altaf Ullah Khan shared his views about the book. They said the Urdu version of the book will equip the women journalists of Pakistan to perform their duties efficiently and safely. The book launch event was moderated by Syed Muhammad Saqib, Assistant Professor at Department of Mass Communication, FCCU. Journalists, students and participants from Journalists Safety Workshop at FCCU attended the book launch.

*The IAWRT Safety Handbook is now available in English, Arabic, Turkish and Urdu.

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Women in Media: Overcoming Adversity Together

By Maria Solita J. Virtudazo

On March 8, 2023, on the historic 113th year of the International Women’s Day commemoration, the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) in partnership with Journalism and Media International Center of OsloMet University in Norway, and in collaboration with UNESCO Headquarters, gathered, via Zoom, 69 women-journalists, media workers, and academics across the globe to highlight their stories and honor their courage, heroism, and resilience.

The online discussion-solidarity meeting aptly titled, Women in Media: Overcoming Adversity Together, opened with an introductory message from IAWRT President Dr. Michelle Ferrier. Dr. Elisabeth Eide, journalist, writer, and professor of Journalism Studies at OsloMet University in Norway was the moderator.

Five principled and intrepid women journalists, namely, Najiba Ayubi (Afghanistan), Alina Radu (Moldova), Alyona Nevmerzhytska (Ukraine), Rhea Padilla (Philippines), and Fatuma Matulanga (Tanzania) lent their voices on behalf of their colleagues. Each of them shared how they and other women journalists in their respective countries bravely stood against and endured oppression, war, armed conflict, red-tagging, political persecution and incarceration, radicalization and extremism, online trolling, hate speech, physical and sexual assault, among other forms of abuse.

Najiba Ayubi is an Afghan multi-awarded journalist, and human rights and press freedom activist. She is a recipient of the 2013 Courage in Journalism Award from the International Women’s Media, and was named one of the 100 Information Heroes by Reporters without Borders (Reporters sans frontières) in 2014. She lamented how Islamic extremism has been oppressive and destructive to women journalists, and women, in general, since the Taliban returned to power. She cited thousands of Afghans who fled the country at all costs to preserve their life. Unfortunately, some lost their lives in an attempt to save it. One of whom is an asylum seeker and journalist Torpekai Amarkhel, who was onboard a fleeing boat that capsized near Italy. Ms. Ayubi is the head of IAWRT Afghanistan Chapter and is also in exile in the United States.

Another award-winning investigative journalist from Moldova and managing director of the country’s independent newspaper Zairul de Garda (The Guard Newspaper) is Alina Radu. She shared how women journalists in their country have been marginalized and isolated. Facebook (FB) or Metaverse is inaccessible in Moldova. Thus, she enjoined FB to be sympathetic to women journalists and provide them access to social media, which has been tightly controlled by the government. Ms. Radu currently heads IAWRT Moldova Chapter.

Prominent Ukrainian journalist Alyona Nevmerzhytska, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of media outfit hromadske, explained that while their culture is not particularly oppressive to women, however, things went on a downward spiral since the Russian invasion in February 2022. The incessant air strikes and attacks on the country’s major cities triggered the exodus of around 5 million Ukraine nationals, mostly women and children. Those who remain in the country have to endure extreme living conditions and the ravages of war.

The Philippines’ Rhea Padilla, former National Coordinator of the People’s Alternative Media Network (Altermidya) deplored the red-tagging, political persecution, intimidation, and even killing of women journalists and media personalities. She raised the case of Tacloban City-based journalist and IAWRT member Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who has been in jail for over three years now for trumped-up charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, and terrorist financing. Ms. Cumpio was among the “Tacloban 5” human rights defenders who were raided and arrested at midnight of February 7, 2020. Her arrest and continued detention speak of insidious yet blatant attacks against journalists in the country, aimed at intimidating and silencing those who are critical in their reporting. Ms. Padilla then called on government authorities for the immediate release of Ms. Cumpio and colleagues.

Journalist Fatuma Matulanga is the CEO of Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation in Zanzibar and IAWRT Tanzania’s Chapter head. She shared how women in their country have been disproportionately represented in media. Most Media Studies graduates and professionals ended up as PR officers and spokespersons.  Women have been marginalized and paid less than their male counterparts, and are in dire need of training and retooling.        

Theresa Chorbacher of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Paris talked about the organization’s mandate to work on press freedom and its various legal, policy-making, and capability-building initiatives to promote the safety of women journalists worldwide, and address the issue of impunity. In 2022, UNESCO published “The Chilling”, a report of a three-year intensive study on online violence against women journalists in 15 countries, conducted by researchers from the US-based International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) and the UK-based Centre for Freedom of the Media (CFOM). The report sheds light on the “evolving challenges faced by women journalists, identifies political actors as top perpetrators of online violence against women journalists using popular social media platforms, maps out the online-offline violence trajectory, and offers practical recommendations for intergovernmental organizations, States, Big Tech, the news industry, legal and judicial actors, and civil society”. Truly, the adversities faced by women journalists in and out of the newsroom may seem daunting and insurmountable. But we can overcome it if we unite and work together in this fight.

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