Adil’s sexist attack heighten risk of physical violence and can severely affect women journalists mental well-being

Location: Pakistan, Lahore 
Date: July 27, 2024

Women Press Freedom unequivocally condemns the derogatory and sexist remarks made by prominent orthopedic doctor Omer Adil against renowned journalist Gharidah Farooqi and other women media professionals during an online program hosted by vlogger Zohaib Saleem Butt on July 25, 2024. Such comments are not only disrespectful but also perpetuate a culture of misogyny and violence against women in journalism. We commend Farooqi, who has faced numerous calculated and coordinated campaign aimed at silencing her, for initiating legal action in response to these offensive comments. Women Press Freedom stands in unwavering solidarity with Gharidah Farooqi and all women journalists who courageously confront and resist such misogynistic attacks. We call on authorities and social media platforms to take immediate and effective action to combat online harassment and protect the rights and safety of women journalists. We urge the courts to act swiftly and rule in Farooqi’s favor. 

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On July 25, 2024, Prominent orthopedic doctor Omer Adil made derogatory and sexist remarks against renowned journalist Gharidah Farooqi and other women media professionals during an online program hosted by vlogger Zohaib Saleem Butt. 

In response to the offensive comments, Gharidah Farooqi initiated legal action. On July 26, she filed a legal notice to Zohaib Butt, who subsequently issued a public apology. In his apology, posted on his YouTube channel, Butt acknowledged that his vlog had harmed Farooqi's reputation and broadly damaged the reputation of women journalists. He admitted that his defamatory and misogynistic content contributed to tech-facilitated gender-based violence, which can escalate into offline violence against women journalists. 

“I hope this apology means that in future vloggers will avoid misogynistic & defamatory content against women in media because we are no more afraid to use the legal means and go to any length to protect ourselves and our community,” says Faoorqi.

Women Press Freedom has documented numerous orchestrated online assaults against Gharidah Farooqi over the past five years. Our comprehensive investigation reveals a calculated and coordinated campaign aimed at silencing her, underscoring the urgent need for measures to protect women in the media from relentless harassment.  Women journalists in Pakistan have consistently voiced concerns about the lack of protection from authorities in the face of such harassment. Pakistan's low ranking in the World Press Freedom Index, standing at 152 out of 180 countries, underscores the challenging environment for journalists, particularly women, who continue to face orchestrated attacks, gendered disinformation, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

The Digital Rights Foundation’s Cyber Harassment Helpline Report 2023 has recorded a surge in complaints from journalists facing online attacks, with 35 journalists filing grievances this year alone. These harmful comments not only jeopardize the safety of women in the media but also perpetuate damaging stereotypes, potentially affecting their mental well-being and economic stability.

Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the sexist and defamatory remarks made by Dr. Omer Adil against journalist Gharidah Farooqi and Zohaib Saleem Butt. Farooqi's prompt legal action and the subsequent public apology by Butt underscore the need for accountability in combating misogyny and tech-facilitated gender-based violence against women journalists. This incident highlights the persistent harassment faced by women in media. We call on authorities and social media platforms to implement effective measures to protect journalists and ensure a safe, respectful environment for all.

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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