President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Efua Ghartey, has issued a strong call for the protection of women in journalism, stressing that democracy cannot thrive in a media environment that fails to safeguard its female professionals.
Speaking at the 'Her Press' Summit on August 23, 2025, Madam Ghartey declared that the safety of journalists, particularly women, must be treated as a justice imperative. "A media space that cannot protect its women cannot say it is democratic," she stated, warning that harassment, intimidation, and threats against women journalists undermine press freedom and equity.
She underscored that journalists are custodians of free speech and must be supported to speak for those whose voices are muted. "Justice cannot exist without truth, and truth cannot exist without courage," she added.
Highlighting systemic barriers, Madam Ghartey explained that women in media spaces face challenges beyond professional hurdles, including harassment and threats to their safety. "Safety is not a privilege, it is a right," she insisted, urging strict enforcement of anti-harassment laws and stronger reporting systems within media institutions.
