One in 10 Somali women journalists feel safe
A new report by the National Union of Somali Journalists reveals widespread harassment and pay issues.
A new report by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) found that only one in 10 women journalists in Somalia feel safe at work. The report, "Unsafe, Underpaid and Unheard: The Workplace Crisis Facing Women Journalists in Somalia," surveyed women in Mogadishu and six federal member states.
More than half of the surveyed journalists reported feeling unsafe or very unsafe, with many experiencing harassment in newsrooms, in the field, and online, including AI-generated deepfakes. NUSOJ Secretary-General Omar Faruk Osman stated that women journalists face greater risks and lack protection, demanding written contracts, timely wages, and consequences for perpetrators.
The report also highlights that 46.5% of women journalists have been denied promotions due to their gender, and 63.8% received no workplace training. These findings were released on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, with support from the UNDP and funding from the European Union.
Why it mattersWomen journalists in Somalia face significant safety, pay, and career advancement challenges, impacting their ability to work and report freely.