With conflicts escalating in the Middle East, the work of journalists on the frontline has never been more important. This month we bring you the story of the Marie Colvin Journalists’ Network (MCJN), funded at our Spring Connector 2023.

Women reporting in the Arab world bring a unique perspective to the conflict and are often more likely to reach stories their male counterparts can’t by the simple fact they’re women. However, they’re also more likely to suffer from sexual assault, threats and other kinds of abuse – and many don't have the resources, capacity or documents that would enable them to leave.    

In 2016, to continue Marie Colvin’s legacy, her friends established the Marie Colvin Journalists’ Network. They’re an online community of Arab women journalists supporting each other through mentorship, professional advice, psychological support and much more. 

In May last year, they became one of our alumni with £23,600 raised at our Spring Connector, hosted by Janus Henderson. Since pitching, they have set up and delivered psychological counselling and one-to-one mentorship for almost 20 women journalists from Palestine, Yemen, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Morocco and Iraq. Some of the support includes advice during crises, including situations of harassment, discrimination, displacement, among others. 

Thanks to this funding, MCJN also partnered with the International Federation of Journalists in August last year to deliver gender-sensitive safety training to a group of women journalists in Gaza and the West Bank.

Lastly, the support from The Funding Network is helping the team prepare for an anticipated increase of trauma support needs in the months ahead. 

In the words of Philippa Nairn, MCJN’s Executive Director, “TFN is a unique experience – challenging, empowering and uniquely flexible and supportive.”

Find out more about their brilliant work at mariecolvinnetwork.org.