Women Journalists in Northern Nigeria Face Job Stress

The survey titled “Silent Burdens, Shared Strengths: Understanding Mental Health, Stigma and Systems of Care Among Women Journalists in Northern Nigeria” involved 58 respondents and found that 91% experience work-related stress at least sometimes, while 78% report emotional exhaustion or burnout. Additionally, 50% of respondents have considered leaving journalism due to its negative impact on their wellbeing.

Major stressors include long working hours, low pay, job insecurity, and gender discrimination. Notably, 86% of respondents indicated that their newsrooms do not provide mental health support or were unsure of its availability.

Fauziyya Kabir Tukur, Managing Director of Mata Media Organisation, emphasized the need for newsrooms to foster supportive environments. The survey also revealed that 69% of respondents rated their comfort discussing mental health concerns with supervisors as low.

Despite these challenges, many women journalists expressed a strong commitment to their profession, driven by passion and community service. Mata Media Organisation and Mata Media Foundation are advocating for practical support measures in newsrooms.