Vile and vicious attacks on women journalists by those affiliated with the government, political parties, their supporters and social media wings, are increasingly impacting our work, mental wellbeing and security. These attacks include but are not restricted to gender-based and sexualized abuse, discrediting, targeting and persecution. We endorse what our fellow colleagues have put on record on 12/08/2020, and widen the scope to reflect the magnitude and degree of trauma being experienced by women in media. The kind of trolling and unfettered vulgarity being experienced subverts every norm of decency with no law enforcement agency, government or any political party taking notice or action of what is clearly transgressing all limits of decency and subverting every ethical standard.

Women journalists in Pakistan who are encountering vicious social media attacks, doxing, and hacking attempts by accounts affiliated to the ruling party and conservative, right-wing elements in the country have taken a strong stance against the online violence culture in the past month.

Shaheena Shaheen Baloch, a journalist with PTV Bolan was brutally murdered in Turbat, Balochistan. Shaheena was allegedly shot twice to unsurvivable injuries by what the CFWIJ has found to be her husband.

Online harassment of journalists, especially women journalists in Pakistan manifest themselves as well orchestrated campaigns to intimidate journalists despite the international community denouncing such actions and calling upon the authorities to take concrete action.

Pakistan ranks as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. In addition to the harsh conditions to practice journalism for all genders in the country, being a woman generates an additional set of difficulties to manage. The threats women journalists face include sexual harassment, widespread misogyny, glass-ceiling, verbal attacks and censorships.

Women journalists in Pakistan are campaigning against the online harassment they receive on a daily basis. However, the hate, abuse, trolling and threats have intensified in the aftermath of a joint statement and petition they shared over a week ago. Some of the journalists, including CFWIJ members Gharidah Farooqui and Marvi Sirmed, have been subjected to death threats and incessant abuse.

Sharmila Faruqui, Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA), winner of the most prestigious national award Sitara-e-Imtiaz, moved a resolution at the Sindh assembly against the online harassment faced by Pakistani women journalists on August 16. She demanded an inquiry into the issue and sought reinstatement of freedom of expression under Article 19 of Pakistan’s constitution. On Monday August 24, she will attempt to get the resolution passed by the Sind Assembly.

Vicious attacks through social media are being directed at women journalists and commentators in Pakistan, making it incredibly difficult for us to carry out our professional duties.

A group of leading Pakistani women journalists attended a meeting facilitated by the parliamentary committee on human rights to address vicious online attacks against women journalists on August 18. The meeting was presided by member of national assembly and chairman of Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who, along with other members of the committee, heard emotional testimonies by journalists who have been subjected to online hate and abuse.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) has joined hands with Pakistani women journalists in a campaign to combat online violence and hacking attempts against them.

Sidra Ghyas, a Lahore based Samaa TV reporter, was verbally and physically assaulted by accomplices of a religious scholar called Allama Zubair Ahmed Zaheer. The scholar is deemed to be self proclaimed, and was found to be instructing men to attack the journalist. She was going home after work when the incident happened. Sidra filed a First Information Report (FIR) after the incident.

Over 50 journalists in Pakistan reporting on the frontline amid the pandemic have tested positive for Covid-19. With many journalists choosing to remain anonymous and not disclose their names, it is clear that better measures should be taken by news organizations both in providing the journalists with proper protective equipment and necessary mental health support.

Radio broadcaster Tehreem Muneeba was harassed while at work in a studio at Samaa FM in 2018. Tehreem had to quit her job after being subjected to harassment in her workplace. After almost two long years of fighting the case, the court finally made a decision in her favor on May 22. CFWIJ welcomes the verdict which prevents encouraging tendencies to similar cases.

Manmeet Kaur has been nominated for a prestigious award by the Sikh group in the United Kingdom. Kaur has been named among '100 most influential Sikh personalities under 30 years of age' in the world by a UK-based global Sikh organization, one of the top UK honors.