Women Journalists and Freedom of Expression

The defense of women’s rights, the promotion of equality between men and women and the fight against violence based on gender is one of the key priorities of the French external action regarding human rights.

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, the Permanent Mission of France to the OAS organized, in cooperation with the Mission of Canada to the OAS and the Embassy of Sweden, an event for the launching of a new report published by the office of the Rapporteur for freedom of expression at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights at the OAS.

Women journalists are two times more likely to be victims of violence for exercising freedom of expression and because of their gender. In addition to the risks of threats and violence faced by all human rights defenders and journalists in the region, women journalists are exposed to additional or specific risks. By challenging chauvinistic stereotypes that disapprove of their participation in public life, they face discrimination based on their gender. In addition, they face a lack of protection and obstacles in access to justice that are also differentiated from their male counterparts.

The purpose of this report is to analyze the situation of women journalists in the region, and to examine the obligations of States and the private sector in the elimination of the main obstacles and specific risks faced by women journalists in the exercise of their freedom of expression.

This report has been translated in French thanks to the financial support of the Permanent Mission of France and the Permanent Mission of Canada to the OAS

More information is available on the IACH website, as well as the report.