A total of 360 signatories from across the region have endorsed the Declaration on Advancing the Safety of Women Journalists in the Western Balkans, including nearly 100 organizations and individuals from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The signatories include journalists’ associations, media outlets and journalists, civil society organizations, public institutions and experts. This collective act sends a strong and unified call for enhanced institutional protection and more effective responses to threats and violence against women in the media.
The Declaration was adopted at the regional SafeJournalists conference “Journalism Under Attack: An Era of Unfreedom and the Profession’s Resilience,” held in Belgrade from 29 September to 1 October 2025. It is conceived as a concrete, legally oriented document aimed at strengthening the protection of women journalists throughout the Western Balkans.
Initiated by the SafeJournalists network, of which the BH Journalists Association is a member, the Declaration recognizes the specific risks faced by women in journalism, including gender-based violence, threats and pressure, particularly in the online environment.
The Declaration received especially strong support in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where, in addition to numerous media organizations and professional associations, it was also endorsed by representatives of civil society, public institutions, and many prominent members of the media community.
Recent research conducted by the BH Journalists Association on the safety of women journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina shows that women working in the media are exposed on a daily basis to various forms of attacks, ranging from verbal abuse and online threats to physical assaults, often with a pronounced gender-based component. From 2021 to the end of 2024, more than 130 incidents were registered, a significant number of which were directed specifically at women journalists. However, the actual number of attacks and threats is likely higher, as many cases remain unreported due to a lack of trust in institutions.
Ensuring the safety of women journalists across the region is a key prerequisite for protecting freedom of expression, safeguarding the public’s right to information, and strengthening democratic processes. The Declaration adopted in Belgrade not only outlines obligations for journalists’ and media organizations but also emphasizes the responsibility of state institutions to improve legal frameworks, ensure the effective implementation of existing laws, and provide real protection for all women journalists in practice.
More details about the Declaration and its full text are available here
Author: Maja Radević
Foto: Canva, ilustration
