Vice-President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Croatian trade unionist Marija Hanževački, called in Brussels for solidarity with women journalists, warning that they face an “increased risk” of threats, insults, intimidation and sexual harassment.
“Women journalists go through various challenges in the course of their work,” she said ahead of the upcoming International Women’s Day.
“They are exposed to an increased risk of threats, insults, intimidation and targeted sexual harassment,” Hanževački stated during the conference “Challenges for Women in the Media”, held at the EESC headquarters.
Since October, the Secretary General of the Independent Croatian Trade Unions has been serving as Vice-President of the EESC, where she is responsible for communications.
Last year, women accounted for only 26 percent of topics and sources in the news, reflecting their underrepresentation in television, radio and print media, according to UN Women, the United Nations agency for gender equality.
“I firmly believe that journalism is the foundation of democracy, and in that context I want us to remember women journalists who fight for the right to speak the truth, as well as those who have lost their lives doing so,” Hanževački said.
The conference was organized by the EESC, an advisory body of the European Union composed of representatives of civil society, trade unions and employers from 27 countries.
Participants warned that women journalists face greater risks than their male colleagues when reporting from protests, war zones or on corruption.
Hanna Liubakova is a Belarusian journalist and media analyst who has lived in exile since 2020. She highlighted the specific threats faced by detained or imprisoned women, including journalists—such as difficulties in maintaining contact with their families and children, as well as limited access to hygiene products.
“When the authorities put me on a terrorist list, some people in Belarus started asking what I had done. It hurts to see how the regime affects people’s minds,” Liubakova said.
Women journalists face not only physical harassment but also psychological pressure. Digital media pose particularly serious challenges for women, including journalists.
“Contrary to initial expectations that online platforms could level the playing field, the digital environment has instead become a significant source of inequality and gender-based harassment,” Hanževački said.
Participants emphasized the need for the EU to make more effective use of existing legal instruments, including the European Media Freedom Act, the Digital Services Act and the Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence.
Although women make up more than 40 percent of the global journalistic workforce, they hold only a quarter of senior editorial positions, according to the EESC.
This reduces their influence on key editorial decisions, such as shaping stories, selecting topics and managing recruitment processes.
“We cannot accept a system in which some are pushed aside so that others can remain comfortable,” said Isabelle Le Galo Flores, Secretary-General of the EESC.
“When we witness harassment, whether online or offline, we must choose: silence or solidarity. Silence usually protects the wrong side. That is why we must stand with women on the front lines. Let us make them visible,” she said.