KUALA LUMPUR, 5 August 2025:  AIBD in collaboration with UNESCO Jakarta under the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), kicked off a high-impact regional training titled “Empowering Women Journalists in Crisis Reporting” at Ancasa Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

The workshop welcomed 21 participants from Malaysia, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines, representing a vibrant mix of TV, radio, and digital media platforms. The initiative aims to build the capacity of female journalists who report from hostile, unpredictable, or disaster-stricken environments, equipping them with practical tools for safety, crisis communication, and trauma resilience.

Opening the workshop, Mr. Nabeel Tirmazi, Senior Programme Manager at AIBD, emphasized the need for field journalists, especially women, to be trained in situational awareness, safety protocols, and mental readiness.

“We’re not just addressing skills, but institutional readiness and emotional strength. It’s time we moved from reactive to preventive approaches in how we protect our media professionals.”

Delivering remarks online, Ms. Anna Lomtadze, UNESCO’s Communication and Information Specialist, underscored the urgency of the initiative:

“Nearly 73% of women journalists globally report experiencing online harassment, and 1 in 5 have faced physical attacks linked to online abuse. Safety isn’t just physical—it’s digital and psychological too.”

Day 1 focused on risk awareness and personal safety. Expert sessions included:

• Risk mapping and crisis communication, led by Pakistani journalist and documentary filmmaker Ms. Sabin Agha

• Mental readiness and burnout prevention, conducted by Ms. Jackie Viemilawati, a trauma and mental health trainer from Indonesia

• Navigating gender-specific threats and field survival strategies for female reporters

The day concluded with peer exchanges and scenario-based discussions, laying a strong foundation for the remaining modules on digital safety, ethical crisis storytelling, and organizational policy building.

This training reflects a growing regional commitment to creating safer, more inclusive newsroom cultures, ensuring women journalists are protected, prepared, and empowered, before, during, and after crises.