Shireen Abu Akleh Prize launched: IFJ and UPF honour the courage and commitment of women journalists worldwide

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Union of the Francophone Press (UPF) reaffirm their commitment to press freedom and the safety of women journalists with the annual Shireen Abu Akleh Prize, a €5,000 award recognising the courage, integrity and commitment of women journalists around the world.

Credit: UPF

Named in memory of Shireen Abu Akleh, the renowned Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist killed on 11 May 2022 while reporting in the Jenin refugee camp, the prize honours women media professionals who risk their safety to inform the public and uphold the highest standards of journalism. Shireen Abu Akleh was clearly identified as press at the time of her killing, wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet, making her death a stark symbol of the dangers journalists, particularly women, continue to face.

With this prize, the IFJ and the UPF aim to highlight the alarming deterioration of journalists' safety worldwide, which disproportionately affects women journalists subjected to threats, online harassment, sexual violence and deadly attacks.

The Shireen Abu Akleh Prize is open to women journalists, photographers and video journalists of all nationalities, working languages and media platforms, provided they hold a recognised professional press card. Candidates may apply themselves or be nominated by their media outlet or a third party. There is no time limit on the actions leading to the nomination. Selection is overseen by an independent committee composed of representatives from the IFJ, UPF, UNESCO, the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), and three prominent journalists.

The first recipient of the award was Antonina Favorskaya, a Russian journalist sentenced to five years in prison for her reporting on political opposition figures, including Alexey Navalny. The prize was awarded in Paris on 12 May 2025 and presented to her lawyer.

The next award ceremony will take place on 11 May 2026 at 6 p.m., at the Résidence Palace in Brussels, during a public event.

Prize: €5,000

Timeline

• 15 December 2025 - 1 March 2026:Call for applications
  
• 1 March 2026:Deadline for submission
  
• 1 March - 15 April 2026:Jury review
  
• 15 April 2026:Selection of the winner
  
• 11 May 2026:Award ceremony
  

Applications should be sent by email to:
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ): [email protected]
Union of the Francophone Press (UPF): [email protected]

and: [email protected]

How to apply

About IFJ and UPF

Established in Paris on June 13, 1926, under the leadership of Georges Bourdon from the French Syndicat national des journalistes (SNJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)has grown into the world's largest organization representing journalists. With 600,000 members across 187 unions in 146 countries, the IFJ advocates for press freedom and supports journalists within international bodies like UNESCO and the Human Rights Council.

The Francophone Press Union (UPF), founded on May 13, 1950, as the International Association of Francophone Journalists (AIJLF), stands as the oldest association of francophone journalists recognized by global institutions such as the UN and UNESCO. It has forged a global network of journalists and media professionals spanning over fifty countries, promoting solidarity within the Francophonie.