UNFPA invites journalists to report on violence against women, child marriage

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Bangladesh has invited story pitches from journalists in Bangladesh to highlight violence against women and girls, child marriage, online harassment and the barriers to accessing justice.

The media fellowship has been launched ahead of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign for 2026, which runs from 25 November to 10 December.

This year the campaign focuses on ensuring justice, protecting survivors and ending the culture of impunity for perpetrators.

UNFPA said violence against women remains a serious human rights problem in Bangladesh. According to the 2024 violence against women survey, three in every four women in the country have experienced violence at some point in their lives.

The same survey found that nearly two-thirds of women have never shared their experience with anyone.

Despite laws and policies, the agency said, gaps remain in preventing violence, securing justice, ensuring institutional accountability and providing support to survivors.

Against this backdrop, UNFPA has launched the fellowship to encourage investigative, evidence-based and humane journalism. Ten journalists will be selected under the programme.

The selected journalists will research, gather information and produce reports on approved topics within one month. The fellowship covers violence against women and girls, technology-facilitated gender-based violence and online harassment, child marriage and other harmful social practices, violence and discrimination against women and girls with disabilities, limitations in law enforcement and access to justice, and community-based initiatives to prevent violence.

Applicants must have at least two years of professional experience in journalism. Journalists working in national media as well as freelance and independent journalists can apply.

The opportunity is open to journalists from print, television, online and radio outlets. Journalists from divisions and districts outside Dhaka can also apply.

Applications will be assessed on the relevance, novelty, public interest and feasibility of the submitted story pitch, as well as its evidence base, ethical considerations and potential impact.

Selected journalists will attend an orientation session covering UNFPA’s work, its priority areas and guidance on gender-sensitive journalism.

Each selected fellow will receive a fixed honorarium and a certificate. The three best reports will receive special recognition.

Reports produced under the fellowship must be published or broadcast in the relevant media outlet by 31 December 2026. Freelance and independent journalists must secure publication arrangements in advance.

UNFPA has instructed that protecting the identity, privacy, dignity and safety of survivors must be given the highest priority in reporting. Extra protection must be ensured for children and adolescents, along with verification of facts, taking statements from the relevant authorities, and avoiding language or presentation that blames the survivor.

Interested journalists must submit their story pitches by filling in the designated application form by 22 November 2026. Applications can be made in Bangla or English.

UNFPA said the main aim of the initiative is to bring unreported incidents of violence against women and girls into the media, help change harmful social attitudes, and make journalism more effective in ensuring the accountability of the institutions concerned with preventing violence.