New Delhi, 8 March 2024: The Indian Journalists Union joins the International Federation of Journalists in standing with the women journalists in Gaza and on this International Women’s Day demands their safety and the end of the war atrocities, including any form of gender-based violence against women. The IJU also urged its state affiliates across the country to stand in solidarity with women journalists in Gaza and provide them with food, warm clothes, press equipment and women’s specific needs, and donate to the IFJ safety fund using communication “PJS-Women”. 

Since the start of the war in Gaza, 98 journalists have died and among these are 13 are women, while others are exposed to the daily lack of safety and security. They have shown tremendous courage to carry out their duties and keep the world informed of the atrocities committed by Israel. However, they have had to pay a heavy price as women, reporters and mothers.

Amid a catastrophic humanitarian situation and the risk of a severe famine, the displaced women, living in shelters with their families, struggle to provide safety and protection to their children, fearing for their lives. The lack of privacy, the poor health and sanitary conditions including the lack of sanitary pads, have become daily challenges for women journalists. 

In a statement, IJU President and former member of Press Council of India Geetartha Pathak and Secretary General and IFJ Vice President Sabina Inderjit said the union salutes the women journalists of Gaza to continue reporting in this horrific war. The Union demands an end to this war; the International Criminal Court (ICC) prioritise the investigation of Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh who was shot dead by Israeli army while covering a raid in the occupied West Bank town of Jenin early on May 11 as well as other Palestinian journalists killed; and urges world governments to adopt IFJ’s International Convention on the safety and independence of journalists and other media professionals.