In a statement released today to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expressed its solidarity together with the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) with women who have been the victims of violence for speaking out for their rights.

"Like all media people female journalists often live and work in a pressurized atmosphere, but many of them face additional threats because of their gender," says IFJ General Secretary Aidan White. "We condemn always the violence against journalists and we particularly deplore the bullying, physical intimidation and sexual, verbal and judicial harassment of women media workers."

The IFJ and the IFEX community denounce the targeting of more than 40 women journalists, writers and activists around the world. Among all regions, Asia has to pay the highest tribute (http://www.ifj.org/en/articles/40-ifex-members-call-for-concrete-measures-to-end-violence-against-women-who-speak-out-courageously ).

The IFEX groups call on public authorities to investigate further cases of violence against "outspoken women" to ensure that the true perpetrators are identified and will be effectively prosecuted and convicted.

It also asks governments, police agencies, and employers to provide adequate protection to women journalists, human rights defenders, writers and bloggers and invest in gender-related education programmes in order that women may work freely and report on any issue, including women's' rights.

"Today we express our solidarity with our female media colleagues who struggle to tell the truth," said White. "They deserve better protection against day to day violence and we shall fight for this."

For more information contact the IFJ at   +32 2 235 2216     

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide