By Adeola Orisile
Female Journalists Demand Action on Safety, Gender-Based Attacks at Lagos Workshop By Adeola ORISILE
Communiqué calls for legal reform, institutional support, and national safety networks to protect women in journalism
Lagos, Nigeria — Female journalists from across Nigeria have called on government, media organizations, and civil society to take urgent and practical steps to guarantee their safety and end the growing wave of gender-based attacks they face in the course of their work.
This demand was made in a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day workshop on the Safety of Female Journalists in Nigeria, organized by Media Rights Agenda (MRA) with support from IFEX, the Toronto-based global network for freedom of expression organizations. The workshop took place at the International Press Centre in Ogba, Lagos, from July 29 to 30, 2025.
The event brought together 24 participants, including female journalists from print, broadcast, and online platforms—both public and private—alongside legal experts, civil society advocates, and media professionals.
In his opening address, Mr. Ayode Longe, MRA’s Deputy Executive Director, highlighted the dual vulnerability of female journalists who, according to him, are often targeted “not only for their professional work but also because of their gender.”
“Female journalists face both subtle and blatant attacks. This workshop aims to empower them with knowledge and tools to seek redress, protect themselves, and continue their vital work without fear,” Longe stated.
He added that the training aligns with the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, which emphasizes the need for gender-sensitive approaches in tackling threats against journalists.
Participants observed that female journalists in Nigeria continue to endure a disturbing range of threats including sexual harassment, online abuse, gender-based violence, and professional discrimination—all made worse by a lack of institutional support and persistent impunity for perpetrators.
The communiqué lamented the failure of many media organizations to support affected staff, calling the prevailing silence and inaction a major driver of vulnerability among female reporters.
“Media houses often abandon female journalists when they’re attacked, making it impossible for them to confront challenges on their own,” the document stated.
It further condemned the absence of gender-sensitive safety frameworks across media bodies and urged immediate reforms by stakeholders.
The participants made far-reaching recommendations including:
Condemnation and prosecution of all gender-based attacks on journalists by federal and state governments.
Legal reform to include explicit protections for female journalists in both national and state laws.
Media organizations to adopt gender-sensitive policies, ensure safe working environments, and provide legal, psychological, and logistical support to female staff, especially during high-risk coverage.
Establishment of a national protective network for female journalists, anchored possibly by NAWOJ (Nigeria Association of Women Journalists), to foster solidarity and joint advocacy.
Encouraging media employers to provide safe transport and accommodation, especially during late-night or hazardous assignments.
Promotion of open-door reporting policies in newsrooms to allow younger female journalists to report abuse without fear.
The communiqué also urged female journalists to conduct regular threat assessments, prioritize their wellbeing, and take full advantage of annual leave to avoid burnout and health complications.
The participants reaffirmed their commitment to upholding press freedom and gender rights, and called on all stakeholders—including government, media owners, security agencies, civil society, and international partners—to recognize that the safety of female journalists is not just a gender issue but central to democracy and national development.
They thanked Media Rights Agenda for facilitating the important conversation and IFEX for its financial support through its Safety and Justice Grant.
The communiqué was officially adopted in Lagos on July 30, 2025. Read More
