CFWIJ and WPF Welcome Ceasefire Amid Record Losses of Women Journalists in Israel-Hamas Conflict
We call for the immediate implementation and full adherence to the ceasefire, as well as the protection of journalists' rights in Gaza
Location: New York
Date: January 16, 2025
The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) and Women Press Freedom (WPF) welcome the ceasefire announced between Israel and Hamas, following over a year of devastating conflict that has claimed the lives of thousands of civilians and at least 165 journalists.
“This war was the deadliest for women journalists in this century,” states Kiran Nazish, the founding director of CFWIJ. “We welcome the ceasefire in a war that has claimed countless lives and devastated a generation of journalists, their lives, and livelihoods. For women journalists, this conflict marks an unparalleled moment in history—never before have they faced such extreme dangers and losses.”
WPF has documented the killings of 28 women journalists since the conflict began on October 7, 2023 - out of total of 165 journalists killed in the conflict according to CPJ. This includes 23 Palestinian women journalists killed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, 2 killed by Hamas in Israel, 2 killed by Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, and 1 killed in Syria.
“We urge the parties to act immediately on implementing the ceasefire and allow local and foreign journalists to be able to access and work safely to be able to report on this humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza,” says Nazish. “We also urge Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian authorities to allow international monitoring bodies to be permitted in Gaza to investigate what we have found to be a deliberate targeting of journalists. We extend our support to all female journalists and thank all journalists who have been on the ground despite the violence and killings of their colleagues and their own families and community. We are sorry for their irreplaceable losses.”
Read more about attacks on women journalists covering the conflict here.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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