Female Journalists in Zambia and the Trauma and Toll of Reporting During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This article examines the experiences of female journalists reporting on and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zambia, focusing on the impact on their mental well-being and the role gender plays in shaping this experience. Employing a qualitative study design with purposefully sampled in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, the study explores the perceived trauma of covering the pandemic, identifies coping strategies and support networks employed, and highlights the challenges at the intersection of gender, mental health, and journalism. The findings reveal that female journalists experienced profound trauma and stress, navigating professional risk alongside gendered domestic responsibilities with minimal institutional support. The study demonstrates three critical failures: media organisations’ neglect of reporter mental health, persistent gender biases shaping assignment practices, and absent structural support systems forcing reliance on individual coping strategies. This research highlights underrepresented African voices and provides crucial insights to inform evidence-based policies and initiatives promoting resilience and care for female journalists navigating occupational challenges in Zambia and beyond.