Commitment to Gender Mainstreaming and the Empowerment of Women

International Journalists Association (IJA)
Commitment to Gender Mainstreaming and the Empowerment of Women

The International Journalists Association (IJA) is committed to promoting gender mainstreaming, inclusion, and the empowerment of women across all areas of its work.
As an international solidarity association supporting journalists—particularly those in exile, at risk, or affected by repression—IJA recognises that gender-based inequalities continue to shape access to safety, visibility, professional opportunities, and participation in public life.

Guided by the principles of human dignity, non-discrimination, and equal participation, IJA is dedicated to:

• promoting gender mainstreaming in its projects, programmes, and organisational practices;
• strengthening the participation and visibility of women journalists in media, advocacy, and leadership spaces;
• supporting women affected by conflict, displacement, censorship, and structural discrimination;
• fostering safe, respectful, and inclusive environments in all IJA activities, both online and offline.

Gender Mainstreaming in Practice

IJA integrates gender-sensitive perspectives throughout its work, including:

• inclusive project design and implementation;
• fair access to trainings, fellowships, and professional development opportunities;
• attention to structural barriers faced by women journalists, especially in exile;
• encouragement of balanced representation among participants, speakers, and contributors.

Across many of IJA’s training programmes, workshops, and international advocacy activities, the participation of women is emphasized and supported, reflecting both the realities of exile journalism and IJA’s commitment to equitable access.

Empowerment of Women Journalists

IJA actively develops and supports initiatives aimed at empowering women in journalism, including:

• mentoring and capacity-building programmes for women journalists;
• networking and peer-support spaces for early-career and young women media professionals;
• platforms amplifying women’s voices in public debate, human rights advocacy, and international forums;
• cooperation with partners working on gender equality, media freedom, and women’s rights.

Ethical Foundation

This commitment is rooted in internationally recognised human rights principles and journalistic ethics, including:

• equality and non-discrimination,
• freedom of expression and access to information,
•  the IFJ Global Charter of Ethics for Journalists,
• the German Press Codex.

Our Understanding

For IJA, gender mainstreaming is not a formal obligation but a shared responsibility.
It is not a checklist, but an ongoing process of learning, reflection, and practice.

Through this commitment, IJA affirms its dedication to strengthening women’s participation in journalism, defending their rights, and contributing to more inclusive, resilient, and democratic media landscapes