By Anifowoshe Oladipupo
Female journalists in Nigeria are calling on media owners and managers to urgently prioritize their safety as threats against women in the profession escalate.
At a two-day workshop in Abuja organized by Media Rights Agenda (MRA), participants outlined the unique risks women in media face, from online harassment and sexist attacks to physical violence.
In a communiqué, they urged media organizations to take primary responsibility for staff protection, including providing safe transportation, secure lodging, and financial support for late-night or high-risk assignments.
The journalists also proposed establishing a national protective network, potentially under the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), to foster peer support, share safety strategies, and coordinate emergency responses.
They stressed that safeguarding female journalists is not just a personal concern but a matter of press freedom, democratic strength, and national development.
The communiqué called on government agencies, civil society, and all stakeholders to take active roles in ensuring those who report the news can do so without fear.
