Zaina Erhaim, the challenge of being a reporter and independent in the Middle East

Jorge Andres Bolanos Madrid, 15 Mar “Being an independent reporter in the Middle East is already risky, but being a woman reporter is an even greater challenge,” says Syrian journalist Zaina Erhaim, who is professionally experienced in the war in her country. In an interview with EFE in Madrid, she explains that she never wanted to be a war correspondent. “But the war came to my country and there are many things that, as a woman and a feminist, I could only see,” she says, explaining how she reported what was happening in Syria. “The mainstream media want scenes of battles, and they are not interested in social dynamics, what happens inside homes, the marginalization of women, the LGTBQ collective... There are stories that would not have had a voice without me,” he argues. Multiple award-winning Erhaim works as a communication and gender expert with international organizations in the Middle East and North Africa region. Her beginnings in journalism, within a small conservative community, were not easy: “In a community like the one where I grew up, the idea of a woman being a journalist was scandalous, my family thought so,” she recalls. “I had to struggle a lot to be able to study,” emphasizes Erhaim, who had to finish his studies in London. “Journalism education in the Middle East isn't really journalism. They taught me how to be a propagandist, not a journalist, but I was lucky to escape that.” The journalist, also a renowned activist for women's rights, recounts how difficult and toxic public space is in her region. “It is very sexist, if a woman writes an article, her ideas will not be judged; the first thing that will be attacked is her name, her body, her appearance...”, she denounces. “PATRIARCHAL” JOURNALISM And “when you have to cover a conflict, the first thing you think about is sending men, because it is believed that their coverage will be better. This bias sometimes comes from the patriarchal feeling of protecting women, and sometimes it comes from underestimating their work,” says the journalist. Erhaim also criticizes the excessive difficulties and obstacles women face when covering conflict, as “men have many logistical facilities and advantages that women do not have”. “When I had to work across Syria, logistics took up half my time, while most male journalists didn't need anything,” he says. The situation for women journalists, although it has evolved, remains critical, she continues. “Many journalists who are active still do not reveal their real names or images on social media because they are so afraid of systematic harassment campaigns because they are women.” She emphasizes that many women in the area “do not even have a passport, and they need the signature of their husband or father in order to travel”. Because society understands that traveling “does not fall within the functions of a woman”. The situation of advantage of men occurs even in matters as delicate as kidnapping, since “the context is different”. “Men come out of kidnapping as heroes, women come up with the stigma of being sexually abused,” she regrets. Many of them take their own lives because they can't stand how society treats them after that.” CHIEF jabb/jl/jgb (photo)