Reporting on Gender-based Violence in Humanitarian Settings: A Journalist’s Handbook

This Journalist’s Handbook offers a series of guides, tips and insights on the fundamentals of gender-based violence, its root causes, and the principles of ethically reporting on it.

The media can serve as a powerful ally in amplifying the voices of women and girls. But failing to adhere to ethical standards of reporting can place survivors in harm’s way, either by reinforcing harmful stereotypes, shifting the focus away from perpetrators, or revealing sensitive information that can jeopardize the safety of survivors.

These problems can be avoided if journalists receive the proper support, including key information on gender-based violence, its causes, its many manifestations in communities throughout the region, and the ethical guidelines for reporting on it without causing harm.   

This handbook was originally launched in 2015. This second edition incorporates insights gained from training programmes and consultations organised with journalists in the Arab States region over the past five years.