Women journalists empowered through holistic safety training
KATHMANDU| June 1 : A group of 15 women journalists working with various media outlets across Nepal received comprehensive training on safety through the “Equally Safe: Towards a Feminist Agenda for the Safety of Journalists (FEMSOJ) – Phase 2” online training held on 30 May. The training focused on enhancing their physical, digital, legal, and psychological safety, emphasizing the unique risks women journalists face in their professional lives.
Organized by Article 19 and Media Action Nepal, in partnership with Global Affairs Canada, the training brought together expert facilitators from Nepal and Bangladesh who led interactive sessions addressing frontline safety, digital threats, and mental health challenges.
In the opening remarks, Shahnewaj Patwari, Head of Programmes at Article 19 for Bangladesh & South Asia, outlined the objectives of the training, stressing the need for a feminist and holistic approach to journalist safety.
Laxman Datt Pant, Founder and Executive Director of Media Action Nepal, led the first session on staying safe on the frontlines. He discussed strategies to uphold professional integrity while navigating harassment, discrimination, and physical threats in hostile reporting environments. He also shared about the existing legal frameworks and the need for stronger institutional mechanisms to safeguard press freedom.
Participants including Rupa Khadka of Kantipur Television, Manjima Dhakal of the Rising Nepal, Pratima Dharel of Go News, Nisha Deuja of Banking Samachar raised critical questions about impunity for online abuse, limited institutional support, and the need for more gender-sensitive newsroom policies. Pant responded by highlighting ongoing advocacy for stronger legal protections and the importance of collective action among journalists and media organizations.
In the second session, Sadman Ahmed, IT Officer at Article 19, conducted a detailed presentation on digital security. He demonstrated practical tools to protect devices, secure communications, and avoid phishing attacks, sparking an engaging conversation on surveillance threats and the digital targeting of women journalists.
The third session, led by Ariful Islam Sarker, Assistant Police Commissioner from Dhaka, focused on psychological well-being. He shared insights on coping strategies for stress and trauma, the importance of self-care routines, and avenues for accessing psychosocial support.
The training concluded with reflections from Priyanka Jha, Chairperson of Media Action Nepal, who applauded the courage of women journalists and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to promoting a safer, more inclusive media environment in Nepal.