By Martha
ENTEBBE, Uganda — Female journalists across Africa are being urged to use a new digital platform to track and report attacks, harassment and abuse they face in their work, writes Martha Nakhate Phonera.
The organization hopes the data collected will strengthen accountability for those who target women journalists and create safer working conditions across the continent.
IAWRT-Kenya Chairperson Josephine Karani delivering her address
The International Association of Women in Radio and Television -Kenya Chapter made the call during a two-day training session on Tuesday and Wednesday in Entebbe.
IAWRT Chairperson Josephine Karani emphasized the need for vigilance against both physical and electronic harassment, including the misuse of Artificial Intelligence.
“In an era where harassment is not only physical but also electronic, there’s a need to be vigilant and act,” Karani said.
The IAWRT safety mapping tool, launched in August, has recorded more than 100 cases since its creation in 2023. Reported incidents include cyberbullying, intimidation, sexual harassment, denial of access to information and arrests.
Karani said increased reporting in some African regions doesn’t necessarily indicate higher rates of abuse, but rather greater awareness of the platform. “Just because there are more reported cases in other parts of Africa on the platform doesn’t mean that side has more abuse than other parts,” she said.
The training aims to build a comprehensive database on attacks against women in media that can be used by law enforcement and legal institutions to investigate and prosecute perpetrators.
IAWRT is calling on female journalists to collaborate with legal entities to ensure their rights are protected through consistent use of the reporting platform. The organisation hopes the data collected will strengthen accountability for those who target women journalists and create safer working conditions across the continent.
