Argentina: CFWIJ extends solidarity to Mariana Romero, Carolina Ponce de León as survivors of sexual misconduct

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November 27, 2021, Argentina – Two women journalists came forward with their accounts of facing sexual misconduct while on the job earlier this month. After witnessing her colleague Carolina Ponce de León being subjected to sexual harassment and lodging a complaint, journalist Mariana Romero shared on Twitter her experience of the violation she faced as well. Both the journalists were reportedly sexually harassed at the government house. The Coalition For Women In Journalism extends solidarity to both the journalists and demands immediate action against the perpetrators. We reiterate that the journalist community and the authorities need to ensure a safe working environment for women journalists. The authorities must take measures to prevent violations against women journalists. 

Taking to Twitter, Mariana stated that she was sexually harassed during the coverage of the legislative elections in the province of Tucumán on September 12, 2021. Mariana said she decided to come forward with her account as a survivor of sexual conduct after she saw her colleague Carolina being subjected to the same violation at the same place. 

“This Sunday, during the general elections, in the same crowd, my colleague [Carolina Ponce de León] was groped by three. Yes, there in the White Room of the Government House, in front of everyone. She had the dignity and lucidity that I did not have: she claimed aloud,” Marian wrote on Twitter on November 16.

Mariana added that it was only when her colleague filed a complaint at the police station that she decided to come forward. She said she realized she shouldn't have normalized working with a stranger's hand touching her. Seeing the situation repeat with her colleague and hearing Carolina loudly object, helped Mariana come forward with her own account and make both cases public. 

Media reports quoted Carolina as stating in her complaint that she was groped by men who were inside the room at the government house. Carolina reportedly added that she shouted and loudly objected but the perpetrators did not stop. The perpetrators, allegedly members of the PJ and the Frente de Todos, also tore her clothes, reported local media. 

Governor Osvaldo Jaldo reportedly promised support to the journalists, who were also assured that an exclusive area will be created from where media members can work comfortably and safely.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the sexual misconduct Mariana Romero and Carolina Ponce de León were subjected to. It is high time that both workplaces and the international community recognize that violations against women journalists are often of a deeply gendered nature. We have documented several cases of women journalists facing sexual harassment or violence in the field, in the workplace, during commute and at the hands of government officials. Most cases go unreported as survivors fear retaliation when coming forward - whether from their employer organization, the accused perpetrator or society at large. Women journalists are also deterred from coming forward due to the lack of resources available to them. Other survivors, like Mariana, go in shock at the time of the assault and the trauma discourages them from reporting. The CFWIJ extends solidarity to Mariana and Carolina. We reiterate our demand for safe working conditions for women journalists.