The National Editors’ Forum (NEF), with support from Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), has taken a historic step to advance gender equality and safety in South Sudan’s media sector by formally adopting the 2021 Gender Policy developed by the Female Journalists Network (FJN).
Announcing the decision, NEF Secretary Moris Mogga said, “The National Editors’ Forum proudly announces the formal adoption of the 2021 Gender Policy developed by the Female Journalists Network. This marks a significant milestone in our collective commitment to fostering gender equality in media structures and systems across South Sudan.”
The policy was adopted on November 13, 2025 following a JHR-supported training session that brought together editors, station managers, program managers and media leaders for an open dialogue on the persistent barriers facing women in South Sudan newsrooms.
Despite the notable increase in the number of professional journalists accredited by the Media Authority of South Sudan to cover public events, women remain severely underrepresented in senior editorial and management roles across the country. This inequality not only affects decision-making and newsroom culture but also limits the diversity and accuracy of media content.
In its press release, NEF underscored the urgency of addressing this gap: “The adoption of this policy demonstrates NEF’s recognition of the urgent need to transform media institutions into inclusive spaces where women and men have equal access to opportunities, leadership, and resources.”
The Gender Policy aligns newsroom practices with national standards calling for at least 35-percent female representation at all levels of media leadership.
For many women in South Sudan media, newsroom environments remain unsafe. Sexual harassment, both within media houses and on assignment, continues to push women out of the profession prematurely.
During the closing session of the training, FJN Deputy Secretary Stella Loki, delivering a statement on behalf of Chairperson Liela Osman, highlighted the severity of the issue:
“Too many of these women face harassment, intimidation, discrimination, and unsafe working conditions. When women are silenced, threatened, or pushed out of the profession, our stories lose balance and our society loses truth.”
She urged media leaders to uphold gender equality values in the newsroom, saying, “Today, the Female Journalists Network of South Sudan appeals to all editors, station managers, and program managers to take deliberate steps to create safer, more inclusive, and supportive work environments for women journalists.”
Beyond workplace harassment, restrictive cultural norms and family expectations continue to limit women’s participation and progression in journalism. JHR’s South Sudan Project Manager Mary Ajith urged the media sector to sustain this momentum, emphasizing that gender equity is central to ethical and responsible journalism.
The NEF’s formal adoption of the Gender Policy represents the first time editors nationwide have collectively endorsed a comprehensive framework for gender-responsive media institutions.
NEF reiterated, “By adopting the FJN’s Gender Policy, NEF joins hands with journalists, media owners, and partners in ensuring that women’s perspectives are fully represented in decision-making processes and editorial content.”
FJN welcomed the adoption and called for consistent implementation. “Protecting female journalists is not a favor; it’s a responsibility, a professional duty, and a moral commitment,” said Stella Loki.
She reaffirmed FJN’s commitment: “We will work hand in hand with media houses, associations, and partners to ensure that no woman journalist in South Sudan feels unsafe, unheard, or unprotected in the course of her work.”
The Gender Policy outlines several core objectives to promote gender-responsive media systems, including conducting periodic gender audits, integrating gender indicators in performance monitoring and the creation of anti-sexual harassment policies.
JHR will continue collaborating with NEF, FJN, and other stakeholders to support the implementation of the policy through training, capacity building, the development of reporting mechanisms and the monitoring of policy compliance.