AHJ

NEWS

DONATE

Voix des Femmes Sans Frontières

Women’s Voices Without Borders

400 women connected across 11 countries in the Middle East, Africa and Europe

2 media and training centres in Iraq and Yemen

Under the impact of economic inequalities, geopolitical tensions, and environmental upheavals; humanitarian and social crises, as well as armed conflicts, are multiplying.

This instability further excludes women from public, media, and political spaces, where their voices are increasingly marginalised or completely ignored.

Women journalists and activists in conflict and post-conflict zones face multiple violations in both their social and professional environments.

Yet, they continue to document and defend human rights, peace, and climate transition—often at the risk of their lives.

It is in this context that the Voix des Femmes Sans Frontières - VFSF Women’s Voices Without Borders initiative was created, with the aim of amplifying the voices of committed women by fostering international, intergenerational, secular, and apolitical dialogue.

Through education, protection, and networking initiatives, VFSF contributes to the professional empowerment of these women, strengthens their place in society, defends their rights, and amplifies their voices.

Voix des Femmes Sans Frontières VFSF - Women's Voices Without Borders initiative has received several international distinctions, recognising its contribution to gender equality and freedom of expression.

2021

Dual certification by UN Women France, and the Generation Equality Forum for advancing gender equality in media and communication.

UN Women France

2023

Recognised by the Paris Peace Forum as one of the 50 solutions for peace, for its role in fostering stability, inclusion, and media freedom in conflict-affected areas.

Paris Peace Forum

These distinctions highlight the global relevance and impact of AHJ’s work through the VFSF initiative — building an inclusive, independent, and cross-border media landscape that amplifies women’s voices.

Based on interviews and seminars directly conducted with women journalists and activists on the ground in Africa, the Middle East, and those forced into exile in France, AHJ has identified key needs and developed concrete responses.

The VFSF initiative is structured around four main pillars that guide all its activities and shape its development across the regions where it operates.

Education

To train women journalists, activists, and artists in the tools, techniques, and ethical frameworks of journalism, media production, and communication for development. The aim is to enable them to build their skills, strengthen their autonomy, and support their professional integration in the media and communication sectors.

Advocacy

To support women in public speaking, producing independent content, and actively participating in democratic debate. Through their voices, stories, and investigations, they challenge institutions, denounce injustices, defend human rights, and contribute to building fairer, more inclusive societies that promote peace and stabilisation in their countries.

Networking

To create and sustain an international network of women journalists, activists, and artists from North Africa and the Middle East. This network fosters mutual support, mentoring, transnational and intergenerational collaboration, and strengthens the collective visibility of women in media and independent spaces.

Protection

To provide safe, autonomous, and independent spaces for women to produce, learn, and express themselves freely. To strengthen women’s capacities in digital security, physical protection, violence management, and resilience against specific threats they face as women and committed professionals in the age of digital technology and artificial intelligence.

Today, VFSF brings together a network of over 400 women journalists and activists from around 11 countries across the Middle East and North Africa.

100
graduates of comprehensive training programmes

50
professionals successfully integrated into media production

200
podcast episodes produced in Arabic, Kurdish, English, and French.

10
tailored training modules developed to enhance skills and knowledge.

50
awareness campaigns and events conducted in France and internationally.

4
independent media platforms created and led by VFSF alumni.

Officially launched on 1 June 2021, during a webinar of the Generation Equality Voices Festival organised by UN Women France, the Voix des Femmes Sans Frontières VFSF - Women's Voices Without Borders initiative seeks to promote gender equality by training, supporting, and empowering women journalists and activists from conflict-affected areas, as well as exiled women based in France.

Voix des Femmes Sans Frontières VSFS - Women's Voices Without Borders is an initiative of the organisation Aide Humanitaire et Journalisme building on its long-standing commitment since 2017 to strengthen women’s participation and representation in the media.

Since its creation, AHJ has trained women from diverse backgrounds — including those affected by conflict, displacement, or social marginalisation — in journalism, communication, and human rights law.

Through these programmes, women journalists, activists, and media creators have been able to claim their rights, share their perspectives, and make their voices heard within their communities and beyond.

Voix Des Femmes Sans Frontières

Four independent media platforms created and led by women for women