Egypt’s Female Journalists Push Back Against Newsroom Discrimination

June 11, 2025 – Egypt – 

Women journalists in Egypt face persistent discrimination and harassment in newsrooms, often working in environments that silence or penalize them for speaking out. Despite contributing significantly to the country’s media sector, they remain underrepresented in leadership roles and are frequently excluded from high-impact reporting assignments.

A feature by The New Arab highlights the widespread harassment women face within Egyptian newsrooms. Journalists describe being subjected to unwanted physical contact, verbal abuse, and demeaning treatment from male colleagues and supervisors. One journalist recounted how a senior editor regularly hugged and kissed her without consent, while another shared that her complaints about being grabbed during meetings were ignored by management. Many women choose silence over reporting such incidents, fearing job loss, smear campaigns, or being labeled troublemakers, especially since many are employed without contracts.

Academic research from the American University in Cairo (AUC) confirms these patterns. The study reveals that women in journalism are often asked discriminatory questions during job interviews about their marital plans or ability to balance work and family, questions rarely directed at male candidates. Assignments are frequently allocated based on gender, with women discouraged from covering politics, crime, or working late shifts. While salaries may be equal on paper, men often receive the more prominent assignments that lead to bonuses and career advancement.

Institutional responses remain weak. The Egyptian Press Syndicate lacks a dedicated mechanism to address gender-based harassment, and most complaints are handled informally or dismissed. However, resistance is growing. The Union of Media Women in Egypt, founded in 2015, offers legal support, training, and advocacy for over 1,000 women. Female journalists have also called for a gender equality committee within the Syndicate to investigate workplace misconduct and enforce accountability.

In a broader context where press freedom is already restricted, female journalists in Egypt are fighting a double battle—for gender equity and journalistic integrity. Through grassroots efforts, union organizing, and increased visibility, they are slowly challenging the deeply rooted patriarchal norms that have long shaped Egyptian media. Their push for reform signals a growing demand for safer, more inclusive newsrooms.

Reference – 

https://www.newarab.com/features/female-journalists-expose-discrimination-egyptian-newsrooms\

https://fount.aucegypt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1746&context=etds