Women in Media NGO has submitted proposals for the updated National Human Rights Strategy, focusing on the safety of women journalists and the protection of freedom of speech amid war and digital challenges
Women in Media has submitted its proposals to the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine as part of consultations on the preparation of the updated National Human Rights Strategy for the period through 2035. The organization focused on the strategic area “Ensuring freedom of thought and speech, access to information, and protection of media representatives,” emphasizing the urgent need for a systemic state response to the rise of gender-based online violence against women journalists.
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine is developing a new version of the Strategy in accordance with the instruction of the Prime Minister of Ukraine dated May 9, 2025 No. 14964/0/1-25.
In its proposals, Women in Media stressed that, under the conditions of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the media sector is facing specific challenges: restrictions on broadcasting in the occupied territories, risks to the physical safety of journalists, the blocking of independent newsrooms, and increasing pressure in the digital space. A particular threat comes from online attacks with elements of sexism, misogyny, and sexualized threats, which often escalate into real-life harassment.
“Online violence is not just a virtual threat. For Ukrainian women journalists, it results in real losses of mental health, self-censorship, and a drop in professional activity. We document cases in which hostile campaigns involve the use of AI, doxing, threats to children, and sexualized pressure,” — says Yelyzaveta Kuzmenko, head of Women in Media.
Among the tasks proposed by the organization for public authorities:
- Implementation of the provisions of the European Media Freedom Act and the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive
- Updating the Criminal Code of Ukraine to include crimes related to cyber violence
- Recognition of the gender factor as an aggravating circumstance in cases of online attacks
- Creation of conditions for the confidential investigation of such crimes and the provision of legal support to women journalists
- Development of mechanisms to restrict access to harmful content with guarantees of respect for human rights.
Women in Media also submitted analytical materials, including the results of its own research prepared in partnership with UNESCO, the OSCE, and the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council, which confirm the systemic nature of the problem. According to a sectoral survey, 81% of Ukrainian women journalists have encountered online violence, but only 19% have sought protection from law enforcement agencies.
The organization called on the Ministry of Justice to strengthen the involvement of professional civil society organizations in working groups and in the development of indicators that will make it possible to measure the effectiveness of freedom of speech protections, taking gender aspects into account.
Once the proposals are reviewed and approved by the relevant public authorities, working groups will be formed by combined thematic areas for the purpose of expert discussions.
This material was made possible by International Media Support (IMS) as part of the project “United for Equality in the Media: Promoting Gender Equality Through Cooperation Between Public Organizations, Media, and Authorities” implemented by the NGO “Women in Media.” Any views expressed here belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the IMS.