'No safe space': Egyptian female journalists expose systemic gender-based violations in newsrooms

In Egypt’s media landscape, women have long played a vital role in shaping public discourse.

Yet behind newsroom doors, a growing number of female journalists are speaking out about a toxic culture of gender-based inequality and abuse — both subtle and overt — that threatens not only their careers, but also their psychological wellbeing.

The New Arab spoke with several women journalists who shared their experiences on condition of anonymity, due to the sensitivity of the subject.

Many said they had been subjected to verbal and physical harassment by male colleagues or supervisors.

Others reported being denied legal rights or facing discrimination purely on the basis of their gender.

When they reported these incidents, their complaints were often ignored, covered up, or, in some cases, used against them.

"I never felt work was a safe space. I was frequently harassed by a male colleague. His verbal advances were full of sexual insinuations, which left me frozen and unable to respond," one journalist recalled.

The experience left her feeling shocked, unsafe, and severely distressed. She eventually resigned, feeling unsupported — even by some of her female colleagues.

Her story is far from unique. Dozens of similar accounts have emerged from across Egypt’s media sector, from state-owned outlets to private newspapers, revealing a pattern of systemic discrimination and gender-based violence.

'Getting married ended my career'

A journalist at a state-run newspaper said her troubles began when she got married.

"My supervisor told me I wasn’t available enough for field reporting," she explained.

The decision affected her income and derailed her chances of securing a permanent contract, despite a strong professional record and international recognition.

The situation worsened after she became pregnant. Management demanded she take unpaid leave — in direct violation of Egyptian labour law.

When she sought help from the Journalists’ Syndicate, a woman on the Women’s Committee advised her to comply quietly to avoid conflict.

"They told me not to escalate things because my supervisor was in control of my future," she said.

'I was told to forget about journalism'

A former reporter at a privately owned outlet had a similar experience after giving birth.

"My manager told me bluntly, ‘Now that you have a child, forget about journalism,’" she said.

When she applied for maternity leave, she was denied paid time off — again, a clear breach of labour law. She was forced to return to work just ten days after childbirth.

"I was placed in a more demanding department and had to leave my newborn in a costly daycare that consumed almost half my salary. I sustained severe depression and had no option but to resign," she explained.

Since then, the reporter has struggled to return to journalism, citing ongoing caregiving duties and a fear of facing similar mistreatment.

A hostile environment

Another journalist, also speaking anonymously, said she was assigned travel-heavy duties soon after returning from maternity leave, with little regard for her family situation.

Negative comments about her "lack of availability" soon followed, along with missed opportunities for promotion.

A media professional who reported a harasser said she was later labelled "difficult" and alienated by colleagues.

Others said they were pressured into silence, fearing retaliation or damage to their professional reputations.

“These accounts reflect a disturbing trend. Women journalists are often penalised, sidelined, or pushed out when they become mothers — or simply when they challenge male-dominated norms within media institutions,” consultant psychologist Heba Fawzy told The New Arab.

The structural rot 

Despite their contributions to journalism, women in Egypt remain underrepresented in leadership roles.

Many are assigned to "soft" beats such as lifestyle or women’s issues and excluded from political reporting, investigative work, or decision-making positions.

"There was a total disregard for the suffering of female journalists under previous syndicate leadership and within media institutions," said Eman Ouf, a newly elected board member of the Egyptian Journalists’ Syndicate.

The issue, sociologists believe, stems from both societal sexism and institutional failure. Few Egyptian media organisations have clear anti-harassment policies or effective mechanisms for investigating abuse.

"Managers care more about protecting the outlet’s reputation than the safety of staff," one journalist noted. "There are no proper HR departments or grievance systems. You either stay silent or leave."

"Women either quit their jobs and sacrifice their careers, or remain silent and suffer emotional and psychological harm in the absence of any system that protects their rights," Eman added.

Heba confirmed the toll. "Anxiety, depression, and burnout are widespread among women working in toxic environments, especially as they juggle professional duties and unpaid care work — often without support."

Harassment in the field

Field reporting brings an added layer of difficulty for many female journalists in Egypt. Several have reported being harassed while covering stories, especially those that are politically sensitive or high-profile. Some were even denied access to locations or sources solely because of their gender.

Egypt’s increasingly restrictive media landscape has only intensified these challenges. Since 2016, new laws have further limited press freedoms, leaving little space for critical journalism.

For women, the pressure is even greater — especially when reporting on sensitive topics like human rights or sexual violence — with fears of backlash, surveillance, or even detention forcing many to self-censor.

"As a woman journalist in Egypt, you censor yourself twice — first as a reporter, then as a woman," said one journalist.

In response to these conditions, recent years have seen a rise in women using social media to speak out against workplace abuse. Many are now demanding accountability from editors and unions.

This wave of online activism led to the creation of a Women’s Committee within the Journalists’ Syndicate, designed to support survivors and handle formal complaints.

But campaigners say these efforts are not enough.

"There is a growing need for independent reporting channels, enforcement of anti-harassment laws, paid maternity leave, and more women in leadership," lawyer Nabila Bahgat told The New Arab.

"We’re not asking for favours. We’re demanding basic rights, protection, and the freedom to do our jobs without fear," she said.

Plans for change 

Khaled El-Balshy, re-elected as head of the Journalists’ Syndicate earlier this month, has repeatedly voiced support for gender equity. However, many are waiting to see whether words will translate into real reform.

"The syndicate under Khaled has tried to address these issues over the past two years, attempting to build a support system even for non-journalist women working in media," Eman said.

She added, "Last December, the syndicate introduced a code of conduct to regulate professional behaviour in media workplaces, with a focus on journalists’ rights — especially women’s."

Eman, currently the only woman on the syndicate’s board — historically dominated by men — is expected to face significant challenges. But she also has plans for change.

"I want to set up in-house committees in media institutions affiliated with the syndicate to investigate gender-based violations," she said. "Especially since 43 per cent of syndicate members eligible to vote are women."

Still, the road ahead remains difficult. Yet many women remain determined to see change — not only for themselves, but for the generations of journalists to come.