Abductions, Assaults, and Censorship: The State of Press Freedom for Women Journalists in Africa

The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) released a report on press freedom violations against women journalists in Africa – a total of 258 recorded between 2019 and 2024. While underreporting explains why the number of violations appears to be lower than in other regions, a clear trend emerges: the most extreme acts of violence – such as physical attacks, abductions, and murders – are disproportionately high. Since August 2023, when civil war erupted, Sudan has been deadly for reporters: journalists Halima Idris Salim and Samaher Abdelshafee were killed; journalist Inaam Ahmady was threatened at gunpoint while her home was looted and set on fire. Egypt accounts for 17% of the documented violations: the country’s women journalists have faced arrests, legal harassment, media shutdowns, physical and sexual assault, threats, and intimidation. Nigeria accounts for 12% of the cases, pointing to a disturbing trend: armed groups or unknown assailants often abduct women journalists, with notable cases being Priestba Nwockocha of Radio Rivers (2023), Amra Ahmed Diska of Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation (2021), and Chinenye Iwuoha of Federal Radio Corporation (2020).