SAWM Statement on Women's Day

On this International Women’s Day, South Asian Women in Media Maldives expresses concern over the raising number of pedophilia cases that has come to light, and calls on the media to act responsibly and ethically towards the survivors of such violence against them.

SAWM Maldives also expresses concern over the lack of a professional guideline for media professionals reporting on such crimes, and bringing these issues to the forefront of public awareness. We understand that the lack of a code of ethics for journalists working on these social issues can lead to difficult situations with the law and compromise the police investigations.

SAWM Maldives is also concerned over the reports of girls being denied education in various parts of the country, and calls on all responsible agencies to ensure that education remains a universal human right for all. SAFMA also calls on the media to bring such incidences to the limelight, in order to correct the misconceptions that are fostering such behaviours among parents.

With this year’s theme Unite to End Violence Against Women, the responsibility to raise awareness on this issue lies with the media. Violence is not only physical, and it can manifest in different forms. It is the media’s responsibility to ensure that practices that perpetuate violence and attitudes that fester violence against women are taken to the forefront of every public discourse.