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Happy International Women’s Day from the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT)

Today, we stand with women everywhere who face injustice—economically, socially, and politically.

In a world still shaken by war and conflict, it’s women and children who suffer the most.  

We remember the young girls killed in a school bombing in Iran last month by US-Israeli forces.  

We grieve for the hundreds of children in Gaza who have died or are starving.

We honor the courage of women who fight abuse—online and offline.  

Women who speak up against violence, even when their own governments silence them.

We also remember brave women leaders we’ve lost:  

– Yanar Mohammed (Iraq),  

– Berta Cáceres (Honduras),  

– Walaa Al Jabari (Palestine).  

They were killed for defending nature, their communities, and the truth in their work.

These realities are frightening. But fear will not stop us.  

Women must come together, stand strong, and keep fighting for justice.

Too many countries are in crisis because of power abuse by a few.  

And too often, women and children pay the price.

In the Philippines, women are still mocked and disrespected by politicians.  

President Bongbong Marcos attended the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women—yet said nothing to defend women at home.  

While he was away, Trump pushed aggressive policies—and the Philippines risks being pulled into conflict through US military bases.

We also stand with Frenchie Mae Cumpio, a community journalist still in prison.  

She was arrested in 2020 on false charges.  

In January 2026, she was finally cleared of “illegal possession” charges—but still wrongly convicted of “financing terrorism.”  

Six years of her life taken for crimes she did not commit.

Today, IAWRT says: We will not be silent. 

We will keep fighting all forms of violence against women.  

We will stand together.  

We will speak the truth—no matter how hard the road ahead.

International Women’s Day 2026: Truth-Tellers Under Fire

Today, as the world celebrates the triumphs of women, the International Association of Women in Radio and Television – Philippines stands in firm solidarity with those who use their voices to challenge power, even as that power attempts to silence them. For women in the Philippines and across the globe, the “press freedom” we exercise is often met with a heavy price: judicial harassment, misogynistic vitriol, and state-sponsored intimidation.

Our celebration is not a mere formality; it is an act of defiance.

We carry a heavy heart today for our colleague, Frenchie Mae Cumpio and her continuing detention following the local court’s denial of her petition for bail. Frenchie Mae represents the courage of community journalists who dare to report from the fringes. Her continued incarceration is a glaring reminder that for many women truth-tellers, the “justice system” is being weaponized as a cage.

We also assail the harassment of Regine Cabato and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ). Reporting on the West Philippine Sea is a matter of national sovereignty and public interest. To target a woman journalist for bringing clarity to complex geopolitical conflicts is a cowardly attempt to chill investigative fervor. We will not be intimidated into looking away.

IAWRT Philippines believes that weaponizing a woman’s identity to discredit her work remains the “go-to” tactic for those who are unable to present a valid, much less superior idea on legitimate issues.

We stand with Anne Curtis, who recently found herself the target of a lawmaker’s misogynistic statement. No woman, regardless of her profession or platform, should have her dignity debated on the floor of government.

We denounce the vile, sexist remarks made by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio against Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Elago. Such rhetoric is a desperate attempt to trivialize the leadership of women in the political sphere and has no place in a civilized society.

Within and beyond our borders, our hearts go out to the countless women and children in war-stricken areas as they bear the disproportionate weight of conflict, losing their homes and their safety. 

The recent escalations in state-sanctioned violence and the reported military strikes ordered by the Trump administration have left countless women and children in conflict zones caught in the crossfire of geopolitical aggression. 

This disregard for life and dignity is mirrored by the slow-moving wheel of justice on the Jeffrey Epstein case, where Trump’s name was frequently mentioned. Despite the recent release of millions of pages of documents, true accountability remains elusive for the powerful enablers of his criminal enterprise. We stand with the survivors who continue to fight for their voices to be heard, even as the system fails to prosecute those shielded by power, wealth and influence.

We recognize that there is no true liberation for women until there is peace and justice for all.

IAWRT Philippines vows continue to write, to broadcast, and to speak. We will not let the noise of hate drown out the signal of truth.

Free Frenchie Mae Cumpio!

Defend Press Freedom!

Reference:

Executive Board

International Association of Women in Radio and Television – Philippines

IAWRT Solidarity Statement

From left: Anas al-Sharif, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Mohammed Qreiqeh [Al Jazeera]

August 11, 2025

In deep sorrow, the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) condemns the killing of Al Jazeera’s four journalists in Gaza – Anas Al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh both are correspondents together with their cameramen, Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal. They were all killed together with Mohammed al-Khalidi and Moamen Aliwa, freelance journalist and cameraman, on August 10, 2025, in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a tent for journalists outside al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

Israels attacks on journalists in Palestine are also an attack on press freedom.

This is not the first time Al Jazeera – widely recognized for its openness and commitment to truth-telling – has faced brutal attacks against its journalists.

In 2022, correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh was shot dead by an Israeli soldier while reporting in the West Bank. In 2023, video journalist Samer Abu Daqqa was killed in an airstrike. In 2024, journalist Ismail al-Ghoul and his cameraman Rami al-Rifi were both killed in an Israeli air attack. And most recently, on March 24, 2025, Hossam Shabat was also killed in northern Gaza during an airstrike.

Anas Al-Sharif, known to many for his courageous reporting on the atrocities, poverty, and bombings in Gaza, has reportedly been accused by Israel of being a member of Hamas’ military wing. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has raised concerns about the credibility of such claims. CPJ’s Regional Director Sara Qudah said in their statement – “Israel’s pattern of labeling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence raises serious questions about its intent and respect for press freedom.” According to CPJ, 186 journalists have been killed since the start of Israel-Gaza war in October 3, 2023.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who were killed. We also express our solidarity with the Palestinian people in their ongoing suffering under Israeli occupation.

We hope that justice will be served for these atrocities, and that the voices of brave journalists in Gaza will continue to be heard. We urge the international community to listen to the stories of everyday life in Palestine and to act—not just with sympathy, but with meaningful support and accountability.

Those journalists who gave their lives will always be remembered. Their dedication to truth and justice will live on in the courage of journalists who follow their footsteps.

#StopKillingJournalists
#DefendPressFreedom

Updated: August 12, 2025

Towards Gender Justice amidst Conflict and Discrimination

IAWRT Statement on International Women’s Day, 2025

The International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) has been at the forefront of advocating for women’s rights and gender equality in the media industry for over seven decades. As the world continues to grapple with conflicts, both armed and social, the role of gender justice has become increasingly critical. In these challenging times, where conflicts disrupt lives, communities, and nations, the pursuit of gender justice stands as a beacon for sustainable peace and development. 

While women’s contribution to society, economy, the media, and all spheres of life is crucial for the well-being of our planet, this contribution is barely recognized. The hard-fought gains towards equality are under threat across the globe, as governments engage in warfare, slash social welfare, advance anti-environmental agendas, use religion and culture to deny women their rights, suppress freedom of expression, and persecute journalists. 

According to the Committee for Protection of Journalists, at least 124 journalists across 18 countries were killed last year, the highest in over 3 decades. Nearly 70% of these deaths were at the hands of the Israeli military in Gaza, Lebanon, and Palestine. The Coalition for Women in Journalism reports that attacks against women journalists have nearly doubled, with 29 being killed, and over 950 reported press violations. This is a measure of the unacceptable level of conflict, political unrest, and authoritarianism in the world today, further exacerbated by the environmental impacts of climate change.

2025 is a landmark year, marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995 by 189 governments. As a blueprint for the rights of women and girls, the Platform remains ever relevant, even as armed conflict, climate change, and digital media continue to reshape the world. In this context, we strongly endorse and amplify the call by UN Women for International Women’s Day this year: “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”

This call resonates across our chapters worldwide: from Afghanistan, where our members live in fear, hiding or exile; from Iraq Kurdistan, where women journalists face multiple challenges; from the Philippines, where our member, Frenchie May Cumpio remains unjustly imprisoned; from Nepal, where gender discrimination in the media persists; from India, where freedom of expression is under severe attack; from Kenya, where sexual harassment and discrimination remain widespread, and from all other chapters and countries, where our members, along fellow women journalists and media workers, resist right-wing regimes that rule through disinformation, censorship, and policies that harm women and girls, particularly from marginalized communities. In this increasingly hostile environment, our members continue their work for justice and safety through their reporting and creative endeavours. 

As we approach our 40th Biennial Conference in Nepal, IAWRT reaffirms its unwavering commitment to Gender Justice, Equality and Empowerment. 

We invite you to support our work by donating to our fundraiser: Building Global Sisterhood and Forging New Ways Forward. 

Link to the fundraising page:

https://gofund.me/299ea014

March 8, 2025

Justice for persecuted women journalists 

We remember on International Human Rights Day (IHRD) four years ago, our communications officer Lady Ann “Icy” Salem was reported missing at 9 am. She remained missing for several more hours until she was found at the Philippines’ police national headquarters. She was arrested at 2 am that day with six other activists in different locations and they would later be known as the Human Rights Day 7. She would then be held incommunicado for five days. For a month, she would be transferred from one detention to another, hampering communication with her lawyers and colleagues and putting her legal defence at a disadvantage. 

A month before her arrest, Icy helped organize our Biennial Conference, held online for the first time due to COVID-19 restrictions that year. Days before her detention, she launched our 16 Days for Activism online campaign. Over an hour before her arrest, she chatted with then-IAWRT President Violet Gonda to complete the last of the 16 stories. Icy never got to publish that story. 

But as poetic justice would have it, the cases against Icy were swiftly dismissed. It was one of the fastest case dismissals and one of the shortest detention for political prisoners, whereas others in the country were jailed for five to seven years on average. 

Recently, the Philippines’ Supreme Court notified Icy’s lawyers that the government’s appeal on the dismissed cases against her has been referred to the Court En Banc (the whole Supreme Court). We eagerly await the swift resolution of this case in Icy’s favor, as did the trial court and the Court of Appeals. We hope that with the resolution of the case at the SC level, this tumultuous chapter in Icy’s personal and professional life will now come to a close. 

Icy was jailed for almost three months on planted evidence and fabricated cases, but the case has hung over her for four years running. This only demonstrates how the power and resources of the state can be mobilized against an ordinary citizen, a journalist, or an activist. This is not an isolated case. 

IAWRT Philippines member Frenchie Mae Cumpio remains in jail. She was arrested through a pre-dawn police raid, planted evidence, defective search warrants, and trumped-up charges, same with Icy and almost a hundred others in the country that pandemic year. 

Frenchie is one of 47 women journalists in jail around the world. She is also the youngest. We ardently hope that Frenchie gets released before her 26th birthday on January 23 or her 5th year in jail on February 7 or another IHRD. One more day in prison on fabricated cases is one day too long. 

Also on IHRD 2020, IAWRT Afghanistan Malalai Maiwand and her driver were killed. The situation of women journalists has worsened since, and our IAWRT Afghanistan chapter is now in exile.

In Bangladesh and Iraq, our members face threats to their safety and state suppression of freedom of expression. In Gaza, of the over 130 journalists killed in Israeli attacks, at least 12 of them are women. The situation of journalists specifically women journalists has never been so embattled and difficult ever before, with the state being a major actor in silencing and oppressing them.

On International Human Rights Day and the culmination of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based violence, we call for justice for persecuted women journalists across the world.  

On the shutting down of Al Jazeera by Israel

The International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) strongly denounces the Israeli government’s unilateral decision to shut down Al Jazeera’s operations within its territory. Al Jazeera has been a prominent voice reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, documenting the civilian cost, including women and children, of the ongoing war in Gaza.

The current move by Israeli PM Netanyahu, utilizing new legislation to shut down Al Jazeera, is a serious abrogation of the freedom of the press and the right to information. This move, coming shortly after World Press Freedom Day, indicates the Israeli government’s intention to control the narrative surrounding its actions in Gaza. This sets an ominous precedent for all international news outlets operating within Israeli territory.

As is evident from investigations by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 97 journalists and media workers have lost their lives reporting about war in this region. Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which released the annual Press Freedom Index last week on World Press Freedom Day, pointed to the “record number of violations against journalists and media” in the past 8 months. This targeting of journalists and independent news channels is unacceptable in any nation that calls itself a democracy.

IAWRT urges the United Nations and the international community to pass strictures and take decisive action against Israel’s actions, both regarding its conduct in Palestinian territories and its suppression of press freedom. Such behavior not only undermines democratic values but also threatens the fundamental rights of journalists and the public’s right to access information.

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A Press for the Planet

IAWRT Statement on #WorldPressFreedomDay 2024

To commemorate World Press Freedom Day, the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) would like to amplify the call for international environmental justice that goes hand in hand with freedom of expression. All across our environmentally precarious planet, we see that dictatorial regimes, as well as so-called democratic governments that restrict free speech, are the most severe violators of environmental norms for a sustainable future. Nations whose governments are involved in climate change denial, depletion of forests, reckless extraction of non-renewable natural resources, and persecution of those who uphold environmental sustainability are also the ones that clamp down on journalists and media practitioners, whether through overt or covert censorship. Even in the democratic nations of Europe, we see that peaceful citizen-led environmental activism is opposed by governments in power, so much so that in February 2024, Michel Forst, the UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention, observed the following: 

“The repression that environmental activists who use peaceful civil disobedience are currently facing in Europe is a major threat to democracy and human rights. The environmental emergency that we are collectively facing, and that scientists have been documenting for decades, cannot be addressed if those raising the alarm and demanding action are criminalized for it. The only legitimate response to peaceful environmental activism and civil disobedience at this point is that the authorities, the media, and the public realize how essential it is for us all to listen to what environmental defenders have to say.” 

Against this alarming backdrop of the unprecedented effects of climate change, pollution of our air, water and land, and biodiversity destruction, IAWRT calls on all journalists, press and media organizations to highlight these disastrous impacts and to hold states and corporations accountable for the environmental destruction that is pushing the planet beyond a point of no return.

According to Media Defence, “Reporting on the environment has become one of the most dangerous jobs in journalism. Over the past decade, at least 13 journalists investigating environmental issues have been killed as a direct result of their work. Countless others have suffered violence, harassment, intimidation and SLAPP lawsuits

IAWRT salutes the efforts of so many courageous journalists who, despite risks to their lives, continue to report on sensitive issues across the planet, such as war, environmental crimes, and persecution of citizens. May the struggles for a safer planet for all of us, which goes together with upholding press freedom, see positive results as individuals, organizations and networks work in solidarity for a sustainable future.


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IAWRT is a global network with 14 country chapters and over 400 members in 54 countries.

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Achieve gender equality, advance women’s rights

Statement on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2024

The International Association of Women in Radio and Television was born in 1951 to promote women’s voices and stories in media and women’s leadership in newsrooms and elsewhere. While women in the world have made great strides, some of our gains have been quickly eroded in the last few years by authoritarian regimes, wars and COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. After 72 years, IAWRT continues to campaign for gender equality and justice,  as we have yet to achieve this in many parts of the world.

In countries where our chapters and members are present, women in media experience various difficulties that hamper their progress and leadership:  

·  In Afghanistan, women journalists have been denied the right to practise their profession and are subject to violence from the Taliban. Many have been forced into hiding or into exile in other countries, to safeguard their lives. 

·  In the Philippines, women journalists are subjected to various state-sponsored attacks and threats such as raids and arrests, surveillance and online harassment. The youngest jailed journalist in the world, Frenchie Mae Cumpio, hails from this country. Several also experience sexual harassment in the workplace.

·  In Nepal, women journalists still face challenges in the workplace due to gender discrimination. The current global pandemic, COVID-19, has further exacerbated the challenges faced by women journalists. Many media organizations are facing financial constraints and job cuts, leading to an increase in joblessness among journalists, including women.

·  In India, women journalists and media persons face challenges to freedom of expression, including online attacks, state surveillance, and self-censorship by media houses.

These are the enormous odds we are up against. That’s why as an organization, we persist despite the difficulties we have faced in recent years. Our collective efforts and unity, our sisterhood and camaraderie, will surmount many obstacles in our quest for gender justice.

Women comprise half the world’s population but have not gotten the same share of the pie in most aspects of life. We echo the UN Women’s call this International Women’s Day (IWD) to “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.”

We join the world in celebrating International Women’s Day. We join hands with all our sisters as we continue to fight for our rights and for a world with gender equality.

IAWRT Philippines raises concerns over journalist killings in Gaza

Executive Board, IAWRT Philippines

As our sisterhood holds the annual 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence, we, an organization of women in media in the Philippines, raise our concerns for the lives and safety of our fellow truthtellers who are covering the situation on the ground. This is per reports that are coming in that the seven-day ceasefire between Palestine and Israel ended, without so far, an agreement to extend it. 

In the last weeks, the world has witnessed the intensifying humanitarian crisis in Palestine as Israel continued to display its military might with airstrikes that targeted homes and hospitals. The lives and future of women and children of Palestine were put at risk, if not robbed by the powers-that-be who think that they can rise above the rubbles as victors. They are very much mistaken. 

Journalists were not spared in these indiscriminate bombings and attacks, with at least 58 of our fellow media workers left dead. With bombings happening yet again, we call on Israel to stop the bombings, resume ceasefire, and drop its objective of exterminating the Palestinians.

As journalists, it is our obligation to tell the truth, even at the expense of risking personal lives and security.  We honor and remember our colleagues for their courage and bravery and for responding to the call of duty.

We shall forever call and stand for peace. For human rights and human dignity.

Executive Board, IAWRT Philippines

On the recent arrests of journalists in Afghanistan

The recent arrests of journalists in Afghanistan have caused concern in the Afghan journalism community inside and outside the country. In the past week, five journalists have been arrested and imprisoned by the Taliban.

1- Faqir Ahamad Faqirzai of Killid Radio Nengarhar, arrested on August 10 

2- Jan Agha Saleh of Killid Radio Nengarhar, arrested on August 10 

3- Habib Sarab of Ariana TV Negarhar, arrested on August 10 

4- Wahdatullah Abdali, local reporter of Bakhtar News Agency from Ghazni, arrested on August 6

5- Hasib Hasass Salam, correspondent of Wayandar Kunduz, arrested on August 10 

IAWRT Afghanistan condemns these arrests and asks for the immediate release of these journalists. We believe that such actions lead to a closed space for information in the country, becoming more closed and journalists and media cannot fulfill their duties as they should. We ask international organizations to stand with Afghan journalists in more coherent cooperation.

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