The International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT), a global network of 14 national chapters and members in 54 countries committed to the enhancement of women’s role and participation in media, in partnership with UNESCO’s International Programme for Development of Communication (IPDC), has launched a digital platform to track and report attacks against women journalists across Africa.
Developed with Kenya ICT Network (KICTANET) and powered by Ushahidi technology, the platform allows users to log incidents in real time, tag locations, and categorise threats, from harassment and censorship to physical and sexual violence.
“This map is not just a tool. It’s a call to action,” said Josephine Karani, Chairperson of IAWRT Kenya.
According to UNESCO’s Research on safety of women journalists, 73% have faced online violence, 25% have been physically threatened, 18% have been victims of sexual violence, and 20% of those attacked online have later been attacked offline. Already over 120 stories have been documented from 16 countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Zambia.
The monitoring and reporting platform is open for use and it can be accessed via https://report.iawrt.or.ke/. To report an incident, follow the steps outlined below:
- Sign Up
- Log In
- Create a new post
- Locate the incident
- Describe the incident
- Categorise and date the attack
- Attach an image
- Submit the report.
The launch marks a pivotal moment in IAWRT’s mission to protect female journalists in Africa. By effectively mapping and documenting these cases, a robust body of data is built. This is not just a reporting tool but a powerful instrument for advocacy and change.
