International Federation of Journalists Calls for Enhanced Gender Equality and Safety Measures at Paris Olympic Games
On July 2, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its Gender Council sent a letter to Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), demanding enhanced measures to safeguard gender equality and prevent harassment at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games (July 26 – August 11, 2024).
Representing over 600,000 journalists from more than 140 countries, the IFJ’s Gender Council highlighted the Olympic Games as a critical platform for demonstrating respect, diversity, and the upholding of sporting values. The Council raised significant concerns about the safety of female participants—both journalists and athletes—and called for the IOC to establish explicit protocols to address and resolve incidents of harassment or inappropriate behavior.
“On the eve of the Paris Olympic Games, the Gender Council and our Federation as a whole would like to remind you of the need to respect gender equality and promote diversity by preventing all forms of harassment or violence against women, both journalists and athletes, and the need to adopt protocols to intervene, should it be necessary, to facilitate reporting and resolution,” the letter reads.
The IFJ’s appeal is part of a broader effort to ensure all Olympic participants, irrespective of gender, religion, race, or culture, are treated with respect and dignity. The organization also offered its expertise to assist the IOC in implementing these safety measures, signaling a willingness to help create a safer, more inclusive environment.
As the world looks toward the Paris Olympic Games, the IOC has an opportunity to set a precedent for how major sporting events can promote gender equality and protect all participants from harassment and violence.
The European Network For Women Excellence (ENWE) fully supports the IFJ’s initiative, seeing it as a crucial step toward achieving a more equitable media landscape and sports culture. This is aligned with ENWE’s ongoing efforts to advocate for equal treatment and opportunities for women across all professional fields, reinforcing the importance of inclusivity and respect at every level of global interaction.
You can read the complete IFJ’s letter on their website.
