A report published by Women in News, a media development programme, has found that a significant number of female journalists in Rwanda have experienced harassment of different natures. The report, which was published on July 5, shows that 40.7% women journalists in Rwanda experienced verbal sexual harassment and 32% physical sexual harassment. The organization is part of the World Association of News Publishers and works with 80 media organizations from 15 countries in Africa including Rwanda. Speaking to The New Times, Egidie Bibio Ingabire the chairperson of the Association of Women Journalists in Rwanda (ARFEM) said that there are many victims who have been sexually harassed by their superiors in the newsroom or even sources that they interview while in the field. “We have a problem where most of them do not come forward with their accusations for many different reasons, one being they are scared of losing their jobs and another is they are scared of how they will be perceived by colleagues. They even fear they may not be believed,” she said. “Sometimes women in the newsroom do not know that they have been harassed because many media houses do not have clear guidelines that show what constitutes sexual harassment and what really falls under that category. There is also the issue of being discouraged by colleagues who tell them it is not a ‘big deal’” added Ingabire, who works for the state broadcaster. Emmanuel Mugisha, Executive Secretary of Rwanda Media Commission (RMC) said they are working closely with ARFEM to put clear guidelines for media organizations to follow through the policy on sexual harassment. “the policy will not just cater for these being harassed in the newsroom but also in the field where they encounter these problem. We also wants media houses to create a safe environment where victims can talk to specialists about the problems they encounter which will not only protect their confidentiality but also be helped professionally,” he said. “The only thing condoning such behavior is the silence of victims, and that is why people either their supervisors or their sources get away with it, we encourage the victims to come forward because we are willing to help them with the help of many other partners” he added. Mugisha recommends all media organizations to hold regular discussions on the issue and empower their female journalists so they can always come forward when they encounter these problems. A study commissioned by the now-defunct Media High Council whose findings were published in January last year indicates that of the 1,025 accredited journalists in the country by that time, only 23.8 per cent were female. An even much smaller percentage of women media practitioners make it to senior leadership roles in the newsroom. The key reason that was advanced as discouraging women to join the industry was sexual harassment.
