8 March: Standing with women journalists in Gaza

Since the start of the war in Gaza, Palestine, on 7 October, journalists and media workers have been specifically targeted. Women journalists have paid a particularly heavy price as women, reporters and mothers. 

On International Women’s Day, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Gender Council and all IFJ affiliates pay tribute to the courage of women journalists in Gaza and demand safety and the end of the war atrocities, including any form of gender-based violence against women.

As Israel’s ground invasion pushed civilians south of Gaza, journalists and media workers continue to document the situation, simultaneously covering horrifying scenes and living the war, risking their lives and trying to survive. The humanitarian situation has become catastrophic and the risk of famine is at its deepest. 

When the war started, the Israeli government blocked civilian access to the enclave and Gaza’s journalists have been the only ones bearing witness and documenting the ongoing atrocities. Israel’s media ban not only prevents international media from doing their work and exerts extra pressure on local journalists, but also deprives the public of its right to freedom of expression.

Thirteen women journalists have already lost their lives in Gaza, according to IFJ data. Others are exposed to the daily lack of security and safety. 

Displaced, living in shelters with their families, they struggle to provide safety and protection to their children, fearing for their lives. 

UN Women has pointed at the number of households where a widowed woman has the sole responsibility to feed, protect, and provide for her family as men have been killed throughout the enclave. 

Life under tents has increased rape and harassment cases due to the lack of security and privacy and the closure of women’s shelters.

The lack of privacy, the poor health and sanitary conditions including the lack of sanitary pads, have become daily challenges for women journalists. 

More needs to be done to secure their safety in Gaza and respond to ongoing shortage of food, electricity, warm clothes, press equipment and women’s specific needs.

On 8 March, the IFJ Gender Council and IFJ affiliates pay tribute to the courage of women journalists in Gaza, praise them for their extraordinary work in covering the war under such circumstances, and urge Israel to install a ceasefire in Gaza.

The IFJ Gender Council and IFJ affiliates call on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to prioritise the investigation of Shireen Abu Akleh’s case, as well as other Palestinian journalists that were killed by the Israeli army. Many of them were women journalists. They must not be forgotten and the culprits must be brought to justice.

• Support the IFJ-led Convention on the safety and independence of journalists and media workers.