Pakistan ranks as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. In addition to the harsh conditions to practice journalism for all genders in the country, being a woman generates an additional set of difficulties to manage. The threats women journalists face include sexual harassment, widespread misogyny, glass-ceiling, verbal attacks and censorships.

Women journalists in Pakistan are campaigning against the online harassment they receive on a daily basis. However, the hate, abuse, trolling and threats have intensified in the aftermath of a joint statement and petition they shared over a week ago. Some of the journalists, including CFWIJ members Gharidah Farooqui and Marvi Sirmed, have been subjected to death threats and incessant abuse.

Sharmila Faruqui, Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA), winner of the most prestigious national award Sitara-e-Imtiaz, moved a resolution at the Sindh assembly against the online harassment faced by Pakistani women journalists on August 16. She demanded an inquiry into the issue and sought reinstatement of freedom of expression under Article 19 of Pakistan’s constitution. On Monday August 24, she will attempt to get the resolution passed by the Sind Assembly.

Vicious attacks through social media are being directed at women journalists and commentators in Pakistan, making it incredibly difficult for us to carry out our professional duties.

A group of leading Pakistani women journalists attended a meeting facilitated by the parliamentary committee on human rights to address vicious online attacks against women journalists on August 18. The meeting was presided by member of national assembly and chairman of Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who, along with other members of the committee, heard emotional testimonies by journalists who have been subjected to online hate and abuse.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) has joined hands with Pakistani women journalists in a campaign to combat online violence and hacking attempts against them.

Sidra Ghyas, a Lahore based Samaa TV reporter, was verbally and physically assaulted by accomplices of a religious scholar called Allama Zubair Ahmed Zaheer. The scholar is deemed to be self proclaimed, and was found to be instructing men to attack the journalist. She was going home after work when the incident happened. Sidra filed a First Information Report (FIR) after the incident.

Over 50 journalists in Pakistan reporting on the frontline amid the pandemic have tested positive for Covid-19. With many journalists choosing to remain anonymous and not disclose their names, it is clear that better measures should be taken by news organizations both in providing the journalists with proper protective equipment and necessary mental health support.

Radio broadcaster Tehreem Muneeba was harassed while at work in a studio at Samaa FM in 2018. Tehreem had to quit her job after being subjected to harassment in her workplace. After almost two long years of fighting the case, the court finally made a decision in her favor on May 22. CFWIJ welcomes the verdict which prevents encouraging tendencies to similar cases.

Manmeet Kaur has been nominated for a prestigious award by the Sikh group in the United Kingdom. Kaur has been named among '100 most influential Sikh personalities under 30 years of age' in the world by a UK-based global Sikh organization, one of the top UK honors.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the denial of membership to journalist Shaista Hakim by the Swat Press Club and the Swat Electronic Media Association. We urge management of both entities to stop discriminating against women journalists.

Several media outlets have been reporting that Gul Bukhari is being intimidated with terrorism charges because of her critical view of state policies.

For Pakistani journalist and CFWIJ member, Tanzeela Mazhar, seeking justice has become an uphill battle. For the past three years, she has been facing a lawsuit for criminal defamation at the hands of her harasser.

CFWIJ member, a leading journalist in Pakistan, Munizae Jahangir’s show Spotlight on Aaj News was abruptly taken off the air on December 10, in an obvious act of censorship.