The Mediterranean Women Journalists Forum was held in Puglia, Italy, on 25-27 November, bringing together journalists, academics and activists from across the Euro-Mediterranean region. Founded by investigative journalist Marilù Mastrogiovanni and organised by Giulia Journalists and the Idea Dynamics cooperative, the annual forum coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This year’s theme focused on promoting press freedom, amplifying the voices of women journalists, and countering sexism and stereotypes in media narratives.
The three-day event featured panels on critical issues such as press freedom, feminism and decolonising media. Discussions ranged from the struggles of women journalists in sub-Saharan Africa, to the phenomenon of news deserts, to the role of journalism in documenting crises such as the situation in Palestine. The aim of the forum was to build bridges between journalists, activists and academics to promote democracy and human rights in difficult contexts.
One of the outstanding panels, ‘Jineolojî: The Women’s Revolution in Kurdistan’, focused on the role of Kurdish women’s movements in transforming society and the unique challenges faced by Kurdish journalists. Necibe Qeredaxî of the Jineolojî Academy discussed the transformative power of Kurdish women’s struggle to resist patriarchy and establish equality. Journalist Gulistan Ike highlighted the harsh realities faced by Kurdish journalists and recalled the ongoing state repression in Turkey. She described the systematic censorship, arrests and even killings of Kurdish media workers, while highlighting the resilience of Kurdish women in maintaining alternative media platforms despite immense challenges.
This discussion comes at a time when Kurdish journalists in Turkey are facing increasing repression. In a mass operation across 30 provinces on Tuesday, Turkish authorities arrested 231 people, including journalists, writers and human rights activists. The crackdown, described as part of a wider crackdown on Kurdish media and political figures, has drawn worldwide criticism. Opposition parties condemned the arrests, describing them as an attack on democracy and Kurdish autonomy.
The Mediterranean Women Journalists Forum provided a platform for Kurdish women journalists to share their experiences, highlighting their resilience and determination in the face of systemic oppression. Through its diverse panels and international participants, the Forum underlined the need for solidarity and the importance of amplifying the voices of those at the forefront of the struggle for justice and equality.
