The Moroccan journalists’ union will create a committee of 11 members to receive complaints of harassment and monitor cases across the country in order to combat gender-based violence.
The National Union of the Moroccan Press (SNPM) has made a strong commitment by announcing the creation of an internal mechanism aimed at combating harassment and gender-based violence within the media sector. This initiative follows two workshops organized at the beginning of October in Casablanca by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), highlighting the importance of such an approach.
According to the IFJ, discussions focused on the need to establish concrete mechanisms to deal with complaints of sexual harassment within unions, as well as the importance of Convention 190 of the International Labor Organization (ILO). , an essential instrument in the fight against gender-based violence in the workplace. In addition, these workshops made it possible to identify strategies for improving the working conditions of journalists.
During these workshops, specialists such as Mounia Hajib, human rights expert, and Me Meriem Jamal Idrissi, lawyer, highlighted the crucial role of ILO Convention 190, which constitutes the first international treaty recognizing explicitly the right of all to a working environment free from violence and harassment, including those based on gender. “This treaty marks a significant step forward in guaranteeing a safe professional space,” declared Mr. Idrissi.
In response to these discussions, the SNPM plans to form a specialized committee, made up of 11 internal members of the union, all experts in gender equality and press freedom, as well as members of the National Federal Council. This committee, which will be chaired by a female journalist, will ensure balanced representation between men and women. In addition, five external experts, with skills in human rights, gender-based violence and psychology, will strengthen the team.
Abdelkebir Khchichine, president of the SNPM, underlined the importance of this initiative, while insisting on the need to provide journalists with robust tools to defend their rights. He also called for greater participation of young journalists in unions, believing that the latter have a key role to play in the face of profound changes in the media landscape.
For his part, Anthony Bellanger, general secretary of the IFJ, reiterated his organization’s unconditional support for the priorities of the SNPM. “ Guaranteeing a safe working environment, respectful of the professional and social rights of journalists, is crucial for the sustainability of the profession “, he declared, adding that “the fight for decent working conditions is a global fight, and Moroccan journalists can count on our unwavering support.”
RT/SF/ac/APA
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