Javeria Siddique elected to key IFJ Asia Pacific role

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 13 April 2026 |  JP Staff Report

Javeria Siddique, Pakistani columnist and author, has been elected Regional Coordinator for Asia Pacific at the IFJ Gender Council; she will work with members to advance gender equality and strengthen safety and freedom for journalists across the region.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Pakistani journalist Javeria Siddique has been elected Regional Gender Coordinator for Asia-Pacific on the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Gender Council for the 2026–2029 term, marking a significant milestone for Pakistan’s representation in global media leadership.

Siddique, a columnist, author, and photographer, has reported extensively on parliament, defense, aviation, and human rights. Her election places her at the forefront of regional efforts to address gender inequality and strengthen protections for journalists across the Asia Pacific.

Advancing gender equality and safety in media

In her new role, Siddique is expected to work closely with IFJ member organizations to develop policies and strategies to promote gender equality, safeguard press freedom, and improve journalists’ safety. This includes addressing risks faced by women journalists, both in physical reporting environments and across digital platforms.

The IFJ, which represents more than 600,000 media professionals in 146 countries, has increasingly emphasized gender-focused initiatives in recent years, including combating workplace harassment and advocating for equal opportunities in newsrooms.

A voice shaped by advocacy and resilience

Siddique’s election also reflects her longstanding advocacy for justice and accountability. She has remained a vocal figure in highlighting issues of impunity and threats against journalists, including her personal campaign for justice following the killing of her husband, journalist Arshad Sharif.

Despite facing threats and harassment, she has continued to speak publicly on press freedom and human rights, building credibility within both national and international journalism circles.

Her appointment is seen as strengthening South Asia’s voice within global media forums, particularly on issues affecting women journalists and safety in high-risk reporting environments.

WHY THIS MATTERS: Javeria’s election highlights Pakistan’s representation in a key regional media body focused on gender and journalist safety, while underscoring the importance of gender-focused leadership. For Pakistani newsrooms, it signals an opportunity to align with evolving international standards on safety, inclusion, and workplace equity. It also reinforces the need for structured policies to protect journalists, especially women, amid persistent digital and physical threats.

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting by JournalismPakistan, based on IFJ statements (April 2026) and publicly available profiles of Javeria Siddique.