Hawa Feminist Coalition

STATEMENT: Hawa Feminist Coalition condemns arbitrary arrest of Daljir journalists for reporting on GBV cases

We understand that reporting on these topics is a difficult task, and we appreciate the media’s commitment to doing so with integrity. We strongly condemn the arbitrary arrest of these journalists and call for authorities to stop attempts to charge them although that reporting GBV is not a crime.

While Somali women and girls are reluctant to come forward, report rape due to the cultural taboo and stigma attached to it, and the shame and the loss of family honor associated with it, the work of Local media for reporting on sexual and other forms of gender-based violence is the only hopeful solution for pressuring immediate action and bringing perpetrators to the justice as well as encouraging a ‘zero tolerance’ attitude to violence against women.

For these matters, we are asking the government to release these journalists and encourage media’s role in reporting gender-based violence.

#GBV #Rape #GangRape #PreventGBV #EndVAW #Feminist