equally as bad. Another study concentrating on female journalists in Pakistan, done by Media
Matters for Democracy, discovered that 9 out of every 10 female journalists are more likely to face
online harassment if they do not self-censor. And around 70-75% women faced some form of
harassment in their work. Coalition for Women in Journalism (CFWIJ) also found that 69% of female
journalists reported facing harassment while 24.1% said, they did not face harassment.
NCHR, in collaboration with Digital Rights Foundation and the Centre for Excellence in Journalism,
organised a consultation with female journalists across Pakistan to hear their concerns about online
and offline threats and the challenges to their freedom of expression. The consultation was also
used to launch a complaint cell housed within NCHR for female journalists to register any
complaints and rights violations. This was supported by an online campaign to raise awareness
about this initiative and to publicise contact details for the complaint cell.
Mental Health and Human Rights Campaign
Mental health is a human rights problem. People with mental illness and disability often face stigma
and discrimination, and higher levels of physical and sexual abuse. Poor mental health is both a
cause and a consequence of poverty, compromised education, gender inequality, ill-health, and
violence.
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