Women Journalists On The Frontlines Of War And Conflict
International Women’s Day 2022
This International Women’s Day, the Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) highlights the work and struggles of women journalists who find themselves at the heart of war and conflict. Amid violence, aggression and heightened misinformation, propagated by bad actors, journalists on the frontlines find themselves vulnerable to threats exacerbated by the conflict. Yet, newsrooms and reporters around the world strive to ensure a flow of verified information for affected citizens and the international community at large. Their efforts in the pursuit of independent journalism often put them at direct risk of physical and psychological harm. Today, on March 8, as we celebrate women around the world, CFWIJ wishes to pay tribute to the works of women journalists reporting from the frontlines of war.
In this report, we focus on three major conflict zones that emerged within the last year - Palestine, Afghanistan and Ukraine - and examine the personal and professional losses that women journalists have had to endure while not losing focus on how political power tends to override civil liberties.
Index
Military aggression
Between May and June 2021, CFWIJ recorded 11 cases of threats and violence against women journalists. The most unfortunate of which was the killing of Palestinian journalist Reema Saad. On the night of May 11, she was killed in a targeted airstrike carried out by Israeli forces on her apartment building in Tal al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City. Reema was four months pregnant when she, her husband and two children were killed in the attack. In the days that followed, Israeli airstrikes targeted at least 18 media outlets, including the Associated Press Gaza bureau. Youmna ElSayed was another female journalist whose house was bombed in the spate of attacks by Israeli forces. Listen to her testimony below.
#Gaza: #womenjournos reporting from the ground are at a high risk. We want to acknowledge that local #Palestinian journalists are especially vulnerable, for whom this conflict is bearing real & personal costs. Watch this testimony by @YoumnaElSayed17 cc @rulajebreal @ASE @AymanM pic.twitter.com/TJwjNygXJk
— #WomenInJournalism (@CFWIJ) May 13, 2021
The CFWIJ closely monitored the attacks launched against the Palestinian people by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and observed a sharp increase in violations against women journalists during May and June 2021. Apart from a spike in arrests and detentions, there were multiple cases of physical assault, attacks with rubber bullets and tear gas bombs. Journalists and reporters faced surveillance and persecution while on duty. Several women journalists among them, were also either detained or harassed, or both, for following the situation on ground.
The night before IDF airstrikes killed Reema, the Israeli forces carried out a massive crackdown on journalists following attacks and violence in Jerusalem and in Al-Aqsa Mosque. Palestinian reporters Liwa Abu Rumila and Fatima Al-Bakri were among 10 journalists critically injured by IDF aggression. The former was caught in a tear gas attack while the latter was physically assaulted by Israeli officials.
A week later, on May 18, Rama Yousef, a Palestinian journalist, was shot in the leg by a rubber bullet while she was reporting on a protest at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. The next day, Israeli forces destroyed the offices of Filastiniat and its affiliated news agency without prior warning. The bombing resulted in the death of two civilians, including one child. Later that day, in a separate incident, Latifeh Abdellatif, a photojournalist for Middle East Eye, was physically assaulted by Israeli forces at Damascus Gate.
On May 28, Israeli forces arrested Zeina Al-Halawani while she was reporting from a predominantly Palestinian neighorhood in East Jerusalem. She was physically assaulted and detained without charge. Her detention was widely condemned on social media after videos of the forceful arrest went viral.
In the same month, Samar Abu Elouf, a Gaza-based journalist, was forced to leave her home after a missile hit a neighboring house. She was in the field when she received the news and rushed home to evacuate her family.
Violations by the IDF against women journalists continued in June. Najwan Al-Sumari and Bara’a Abu Romouz were assaulted by Israeli forces while covering confrontations in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.
Meanwhile, Givara Budeiri, a Jerusalem-based Al Jazeera correspondent, was forcefully arrested on the allegation of hitting a female officer. Givara was in Sheikh Jarrah, covering a sit-in to mark the 54th anniversary of Naksa [setback], when in 1967 Israel occupied the remaining Palestinian terriroties, including East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. She was physically restrained and arrested from the site with Israeli officials disrupting her work. Givara was released hours later with a fracture in her left hand and several bruises, and on the condition that she would not return to the neighborhood for the next 15 days.
As the conflict rages on, local and foreign journalists on ground, especially those uncovering atrocities by the Israeli forces, remain vulnerable in the region. The CFWIJ lauds the women journalists in the region, who remain determined to report the truth despite the many obstacles, often violent threats, created to deter them.
“Collateral damage”
Another region where women journalists have been particularly at risk due to international territorial conflicts is Afghanistan.
Over two decades ago, when the world witnessed the initiation of the Afghan war, then First Lady Laura Bush famously justified the American invasion of Afghanistan with the promise of a better life for women oppressed under the Taliban regime. “Because of our recent military gains, in much of Afghanistan women are no longer imprisoned in their homes,” she said in a radio address on November 17, 2001.
The US touted the promise of both democracy and freedom. However, 20 years later, when President Joe Biden withdrew American troops from the region and the Taliban simultaneously took over Afghanistan, threats to both women and journalists only increased. Women journalists who belong to both these groups and hence face disproportionate violations on the job, find themselves especially vulnerable under the current regime.
They have historically faced violations either as “collateral damage” in US imperialistic ambitions or as soft targets for militants in the region who regularly frame them as “western” agents. Far from being “liberated” as Laura Bush had promised 20 years ago, women journalists have been vulnerable to attack on two fronts. These attacks have only accelerated after the agreement between the US government and the leadership of the Afghan Taliban, with several women journalists murdered in broad daylight by rogue extremist militant wings.
SA*, an accomplished woman journalist, had tickets for a flight out of the country when Kabul fell, but she was unable to enter the airport with the thousands of people crowded outside. She had to wait for another day to safely ride back to the airport and try to pass the several security checkpoints. "People are running, and there was an explosion at the airport. We are in danger. If the Taliban come to my place and ask me some questions, they might know about things I wrote on Facebook or I said in interviews. What would be their reaction? Of course, they will kill me," she told CFWIJ at the time.
She further pointed to incidents of sexual assault at road stops, where she was asked to show her documents. Men present on these sites touched her inappropriately, she said, adding that other women were facing the same.
Another reporter recorded an anonymous video message to shed light on the experiences of women journalists in the country. "They are checking the people who always talked against them. Every day, I am changing my location to be sure that they don't chase me. I have no idea what will happen to me because if they find me, they will kill me." The journalist said she had always spoken openly against the Taliban for its mistreatment of women and the atrocities committed against Afghan civilians and voiced fears for her safety.
Since the fall of Kabul, the Taliban have shut down over 90 media outlets. They are tightening their grip around press freedom, with women journalists facing added restrictions regarding their presence in the public sphere, and by extension in their work.
Khushbu Shah, associated with The Fuller Project, shared in a tweet that one of her colleagues was apprehended, assaulted and robbed by armed men when attempting to flee the country.
Our colleague was robbed by armed men on the way to Kabul airport Sunday. They stole her cash, passports & docs. Zainab got herself onto this plane. In partnership with @RukhshanaMedia, @TIME & @FullerProject, the story of loss women face in Afghanistan: https://t.co/hBVdptZNpb pic.twitter.com/vIY4LJdVrs
— Khushbu Shah (@KhushbuOShea) August 20, 2021
Another woman journalist, MH*, quit her job when threats made over phone calls would not stop. She was working in Jalalabad at the time. "For many months now, I have been receiving threatening calls from the Taliban, who are asking me to quit my job. They tell me, you are a Muslim woman, and you are working in a place that has men. If you want to remain safe and live with honor, quit your job," MH told the CFWIJ.
When the calls first began, MH did not take them too seriously. As a journalist reporting from a war-torn country, she knew there would be obstacles created by bad actors threatened by her work. But then she witnessed the brutal murders of three women journalists in her city. MH destroyed her SIM, but the Taliban entered her neighborhood with a biometric device and began checking people’s documents. MH said that whoever the Taliban identified, they apprehended and took with them.
The CFWIJ has closely followed the developments in Afghanistan last year and continues to keep a watchful eye on the region as the Taliban regime establishes its governance. Since August 2021, we have assisted in the evacuation and resettlement of more than 320 journalists, women leaders and activists from the country. We have repeatedly registered our protest against the violations and threats faced by women journalists on ground and have vigilantly documented such cases. As women journalists navigate the risks posed by the current regime, the CFWIJ extends them complete support and celebrates their courage and commitment to journalism.
On the battlefield
On February 24, 2022, after weeks of escalating tensions, the Russian government launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukrainian territory. Women journalists in both Russia and Ukraine, as well as in the larger Eastern European region find their reportage increasingly threatened by aggressive forces seeking to manipulate the narrative. This is apart from the increased threats they face to their lives and person for daring to hold power to account.
Russia’s invasive military attack came amid growing NATO influence in the region and failure of Western sanctions to deter the President Vladimir Putin from escalation against Ukraine. After several months of diplomatic engagements failed, Putin announced an “operation” to “protect people who have been subjected to abuse and genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years”.
As is often the case with neo-imperial plans of occupation, the explicit motivation is flimsy and baseless. Putin’s move has garnered widespread condemnation from much of the world as well as criticism from its own citizenry. The Russian people have come out en-masse demanding an end to the war. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at least 137 civilians and military personnel were killed within the first day of the Russian invasion. Thus far, at least one journalist has lost his life to the conflict while several in both countries remain at risk.
Truth is often among the first casualties of war and it appears that this conflict is to be no different. Russia, where critical journalists already face slander and harassment under the “foreign agent” law, is witnessing several independent news outlets being accused of spreading “false information” for attempting to bring unbiased facts to the public. Targeted news media outlets include television station TV Rain, InoSMI, Medizona, New Times, Free Press, Novaya Gazeta, The Journalist, Linizdat, and the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Crimea.Realities.
The first week of the invasion saw at least three women journalists and other reporters associated with independent publications, being beaten, detained and threatened by Kremlin security forces for covering anti-war rallies in Russia.
British daily Telegraph’s Moscow reporter, Nataliya Vasilyeva was briefly detained while following anti-war protests in the capital. She took to Twitter to share her experience of covering protests by Russian citizens.
About 1,000 people at this anti war protest right now. These are taking away protesters indiscriminately. I was briefly detained even though I was saying repeatedly I’m a journalist. pic.twitter.com/C8ZdMLDWON
— Nataliya Vasilyeva (@Nat_Vasilyeva) February 24, 2022
Similarly, Nika Samusik, a photographer for Sota.Vision was arrested by security forces in St. Petersburg. She was detained for two nights and booked for allegedly organizing a protest in the city. She faces fines of 20,000 to 30,000 rubles, 15 hours of labor, or up to 10 days of administrative arrest.
Meanwhile, reporter of local news website Simbirsk.City, Viktoria Avdeeva was detained in the city of Ulyanovsk. She was charged under Part 5, Article 20.2 of the Administrative Code. Her detention period remains unclear.
As war breaks out in #Ukraine safety of all #journalists must be guaranteed by all parties. Independent, free, pluralistic #media is the best antidote against #disinformation in war or peace. pic.twitter.com/FCzcH6S5xG
— Irene Khan (@Irenekhan) February 24, 2022
The CFWIJ would like to reamplify the reminder by UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion & Expression Irene Khan who stated that, “independent, pluralistic and free media is the best antidote against disinformation in war or peace”.
Fighting all odds
On International Women’s Day, it is important to remind ourselves of the brave work women journalists are doing in conflict zones around the world. To bring to us a clearer picture of the world we inhabit and ensure that the truth is told and heard, they endanger their lives every day. To ensure that truth does not fall victim to distortion and manipulation in times of conflict, the CFWIJ calls on the international community to better protect and support independent journalists.
We call on all active power players in these three regions to uphold the freedom of the press and respect the right to information. The global news media industry also needs to strengthen itself to provide women journalists on the frontlines not just physical security but also psychological assistance, support networks and platforms to amplify their work and struggles. In Palestine, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and the worldover, it is now more vital than ever to pay heed to those working hard to prevent the distortion of facts.
Voices of Women Journalists
CFWIJ brings you some powerful messages on Women's Day from our network. Learn more about how these women journalists are overcoming obstacles in the industry and share their inspiration. Here’s a shoutout to all women journalists who inspire us every day.
Women Journalists Reporting From War Zone in Ukraine
The Coalition For Women In Journalism extends support and solidarity to women and LGBTQ+ journalists in Ukraine. Following weeks of escalating tensions, Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukrainian territory on February 24, 2022. The military operation comes amid growing NATO influence in the Eastern European region and Western sanctions on Russia to deter its state from escalation against Ukraine. After several months of diplomatic engagements failed, President Vladimir Putin announced an “operation” to “protect people who have been subjected to abuse and genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years”.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with local and international journalists and newsrooms operating in the region. Information is often the first to fall to distortion and manipulation by aggressive forces and in times of conflict.
Therefore, it is essential that journalists are permitted to do their jobs and bring vital information to the citizens of both the countries as well as the international community at large. The CFWIJ would like to reamplify the reminder by UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion & Expression Irene Khan who stated that, “independent, pluralistic and free media is the best antidote against disinformation in war or peace”.
Women’s History Month Events
CFWIJ’s Ceren İskit will be discussing with journalists Beritan Canözer and Nazan Sala on legal harassment cases against women journalists, conditions of prisons and being behind bars in Turkey.
CFWIJ’den Ceren İskit, gazeteciler Beritan Canözer ve Nazan Sala ile birlikte Türkiye’de kadın gazetecilere yönelik yasal tacizleri ve cezaevi koşullarını konuşacak.
March 9, 2022 l 7 PM GMT+3 l Twitter Space
CFWIJ launches its self-defense for women journalists course this Women’s History Month! 20 women and LGBTQ+ journalists will be trained on how to defend themselves against physical violence.
CFWIJ kadın ve LGBTQ+ gazeteciler için Özsavunma Atölyesi düzenliyor. Kadın Savunma Ağı birlikteliğiyle 20 gazeteci fiziksel şiddet karşısında kendini savunma yöntemlerini öğrenecek.
March 19-20, 2022 l 1 PM-6 PM GMT+3 I In-person event
