Jessie Williams
@jessiewill.bsky.social
Freelance journalist, writer, occasional photographer. Words in The Guardian, Financial Times, Foreign Policy, TIME, BBC, openDemocracy, Al Jazeera, The i Paper, & more.
Get in touch: www.jessiewilliams.co.uk
Get in touch: www.jessiewilliams.co.uk
It was a real joy to meet the Syrian photographers, painters and sculptors forging a new path in post-Assad Syria for @huckmag.com 🎨
Despite volatility, Syrian artists are painting brighter futures through the haze
www.huckmag.com/article/syri...
www.huckmag.com/article/syri...
Despite volatility, Syrian artists are painting a brighter future
After the fall — Just over a full year since the collapse of Assad’s dictatorship, the country’s political and social outlook remains fragile. But a new…
www.huckmag.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:52 PM
It was a real joy to meet the Syrian photographers, painters and sculptors forging a new path in post-Assad Syria for @huckmag.com 🎨
Reposted by Jessie Williams
Sobering reporting on the risk of Iranian civil war. 'According to multiple accounts, masked men armed with knives killed basijis, the regime’s volunteer vigilantes. “It’s already a civil war,” says a young woman in Mashhad. “We’re just not saying it.”' www.economist.com/middle-east-...
The violence in Iran could lead to civil war
As America masses an armada, the regime’s response to recent protests is radicalising Iranians
www.economist.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Sobering reporting on the risk of Iranian civil war. 'According to multiple accounts, masked men armed with knives killed basijis, the regime’s volunteer vigilantes. “It’s already a civil war,” says a young woman in Mashhad. “We’re just not saying it.”' www.economist.com/middle-east-...
Photos from Yarmouk camp on the outskirts of Damascus, which @tamaradavison.bsky.social and I visited in December to speak to families returning to homes with no electricity or running water, & bracing against freezing temps. Our dispatch for @thenewarab.bsky.social: www.newarab.com/features/yar...
January 30, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Photos from Yarmouk camp on the outskirts of Damascus, which @tamaradavison.bsky.social and I visited in December to speak to families returning to homes with no electricity or running water, & bracing against freezing temps. Our dispatch for @thenewarab.bsky.social: www.newarab.com/features/yar...
Reposted by Jessie Williams
The threat to Rojava is grave and resonates beyond Syria. This is where the phrase Woman Life Freedom was first used. This cannot be where it dies.
I write for the Guardian about why we should all be standing by the women in NE Syria in these desperate times.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I write for the Guardian about why we should all be standing by the women in NE Syria in these desperate times.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The revolutionary women of Rojava are in grave danger. That has consequences for us all | Natasha Walter
For a decade, the autonomous territory in Syria has been a bastion of gender equality. It holds important lessons for the fight against authoritarianism, says author Natasha Walter
www.theguardian.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:57 PM
The threat to Rojava is grave and resonates beyond Syria. This is where the phrase Woman Life Freedom was first used. This cannot be where it dies.
I write for the Guardian about why we should all be standing by the women in NE Syria in these desperate times.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I write for the Guardian about why we should all be standing by the women in NE Syria in these desperate times.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Jessie Williams
"How can we create a society if we don't have a home?"
Amidst economic pressure, funding cuts and growing numbers of returnees, the future for many in Syria remains uncertain.
@jessiewill.bsky.social visited an IRC centre in Homs: www.independent.co.uk/news/world/m...
Via @the-independent.com
Amidst economic pressure, funding cuts and growing numbers of returnees, the future for many in Syria remains uncertain.
@jessiewill.bsky.social visited an IRC centre in Homs: www.independent.co.uk/news/world/m...
Via @the-independent.com
The Syrian women defying violence – and Trump’s aid cuts – to protect their families
As global aid is slashed by Donald Trump, essential services for women in Syria are closing – with devastating consequences at a pivotal moment for the war-scarred country. Jessie Williams visits wome...
www.independent.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 10:21 AM
"How can we create a society if we don't have a home?"
Amidst economic pressure, funding cuts and growing numbers of returnees, the future for many in Syria remains uncertain.
@jessiewill.bsky.social visited an IRC centre in Homs: www.independent.co.uk/news/world/m...
Via @the-independent.com
Amidst economic pressure, funding cuts and growing numbers of returnees, the future for many in Syria remains uncertain.
@jessiewill.bsky.social visited an IRC centre in Homs: www.independent.co.uk/news/world/m...
Via @the-independent.com
With the Syrian govt advancing into northeast Syria over the last few weeks, taking control of swathes of Kurdish-held territory, I spoke to people from 2 minority groups – Yazidis and Kurds – who are fearful of the future. For
@newhumanitarian.bsky.social www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature...
@newhumanitarian.bsky.social www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature...
Fear and uncertainty for Yazidis and Kurds in Syria amid government advances
For minority groups in the northeast, the fragile ceasefire comes with more profound questions over their future in Syria.
www.thenewhumanitarian.org
January 27, 2026 at 10:16 AM
With the Syrian govt advancing into northeast Syria over the last few weeks, taking control of swathes of Kurdish-held territory, I spoke to people from 2 minority groups – Yazidis and Kurds – who are fearful of the future. For
@newhumanitarian.bsky.social www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature...
@newhumanitarian.bsky.social www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature...
As global aid is slashed, essential services for women and girls in Syria are closing – with devastating consequences at a pivotal moment for the country. But women are finding ways to resist. My report and photos from Syria in
@the-independent.com www.independent.co.uk/news/world/m...
@the-independent.com www.independent.co.uk/news/world/m...
The Syrian women defying violence – and Trump’s aid cuts – to protect their families
As global aid is slashed by Donald Trump, essential services for women in Syria are closing – with devastating consequences at a pivotal moment for the war-scarred country. Jessie Williams visits wome...
www.independent.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 9:48 AM
As global aid is slashed, essential services for women and girls in Syria are closing – with devastating consequences at a pivotal moment for the country. But women are finding ways to resist. My report and photos from Syria in
@the-independent.com www.independent.co.uk/news/world/m...
@the-independent.com www.independent.co.uk/news/world/m...
I interviewed the extraordinary @payzee.bsky.social, a survivor of child marriage and 'honour-based' abuse, for Service95. Her sister Banaz was murdered in an 'honour' killing in 2006. Payzee now works to protect other women from the suffering she and Banaz endured. www.service95.com/payzee-mahmo...
October 14, 2025 at 9:07 AM
I interviewed the extraordinary @payzee.bsky.social, a survivor of child marriage and 'honour-based' abuse, for Service95. Her sister Banaz was murdered in an 'honour' killing in 2006. Payzee now works to protect other women from the suffering she and Banaz endured. www.service95.com/payzee-mahmo...
Reposted by Jessie Williams
'We want to be in our country. But it’s the situation that brought us here.’
Read about the refugee-led Phosphoros Theatre, where actors share untold stories on stage.
✍🏻Jessie Williams | 🎭Phosphoros Theatre
hyphenonline.com/2025/09/24/p...
Read about the refugee-led Phosphoros Theatre, where actors share untold stories on stage.
✍🏻Jessie Williams | 🎭Phosphoros Theatre
hyphenonline.com/2025/09/24/p...
The theatre group putting refugees at centre stage
Phosphoros Theatre uses performance to tell stories of forced displacement, from the people who have lived through it
hyphenonline.com
September 25, 2025 at 3:50 PM
'We want to be in our country. But it’s the situation that brought us here.’
Read about the refugee-led Phosphoros Theatre, where actors share untold stories on stage.
✍🏻Jessie Williams | 🎭Phosphoros Theatre
hyphenonline.com/2025/09/24/p...
Read about the refugee-led Phosphoros Theatre, where actors share untold stories on stage.
✍🏻Jessie Williams | 🎭Phosphoros Theatre
hyphenonline.com/2025/09/24/p...
Reposted by Jessie Williams
Nothing says “tough on Russia” like giving Putin a red carpet, an air show, and a bro hug.
August 16, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Nothing says “tough on Russia” like giving Putin a red carpet, an air show, and a bro hug.
Today marks 4 years since the Taliban retook power in Afghanistan. The national women's football team escaped to Australia and are still campaigning for official recognition from FIFA so they can represent their country in exile. My piece in
@huckmag.com www.huckmag.com/article/afgh...
@huckmag.com www.huckmag.com/article/afgh...
Afghanistan’s women’s football team are fighting to play
Having fled the Taliban takeover, the exiled women have recently been recognised as a refugee team by FIFA. But they still want to properly compete.
www.huckmag.com
August 15, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Today marks 4 years since the Taliban retook power in Afghanistan. The national women's football team escaped to Australia and are still campaigning for official recognition from FIFA so they can represent their country in exile. My piece in
@huckmag.com www.huckmag.com/article/afgh...
@huckmag.com www.huckmag.com/article/afgh...
Reposted by Jessie Williams
When public media disappears, so do the stories that bring us together.
With federal funding eliminated, millions may lose their last trusted source of news and connection.
If that matters to you, now’s the time to act. Donate: n.pr/458sOhq
With federal funding eliminated, millions may lose their last trusted source of news and connection.
If that matters to you, now’s the time to act. Donate: n.pr/458sOhq
August 3, 2025 at 3:24 PM
When public media disappears, so do the stories that bring us together.
With federal funding eliminated, millions may lose their last trusted source of news and connection.
If that matters to you, now’s the time to act. Donate: n.pr/458sOhq
With federal funding eliminated, millions may lose their last trusted source of news and connection.
If that matters to you, now’s the time to act. Donate: n.pr/458sOhq
100+ NGOs say Israel’s months-long siege is causing mass starvation to spread across Gaza. I spoke to a Palestinian mother of three who told me that she often feels dizzy with hunger and sometimes goes without food so her children can eat. For @theipaper.com inews.co.uk/news/world/i...
I’m a mother of three in Gaza – we are dizzy from hunger
'I am dizzy a lot of the time - I am dizzy right now,' says Faten Abu Shamalah, 41
inews.co.uk
July 24, 2025 at 9:28 AM
100+ NGOs say Israel’s months-long siege is causing mass starvation to spread across Gaza. I spoke to a Palestinian mother of three who told me that she often feels dizzy with hunger and sometimes goes without food so her children can eat. For @theipaper.com inews.co.uk/news/world/i...
I interviewed an @msf.ca doctor working in a field hospital in Deir Al-Balah, Gaza, who told me he's seen a surge in patients with bullet and shrapnel injuries since the new Israeli-US-backed aid distribution scheme started. inews.co.uk/news/world/d...
I'm a doctor in Gaza - I'm treating a rising number of patients for bullet wounds
Doctors report that since the opening of Israeli-US-backed aid distribution sites, the number of patients severely wounded by bullets and shrapnel has surged
inews.co.uk
July 12, 2025 at 10:32 AM
I interviewed an @msf.ca doctor working in a field hospital in Deir Al-Balah, Gaza, who told me he's seen a surge in patients with bullet and shrapnel injuries since the new Israeli-US-backed aid distribution scheme started. inews.co.uk/news/world/d...
Reposted by Jessie Williams
“I feel shattered in my heart because I feel like we are being stripped out of our agency, our will and our choices... we are paying the price with our blood,” @jessiewill.bsky.social reports on Iranian reactions to the Israel-Iran, in DAWN's Democracy in Exile.
Peace is "far from guaranteed:” Iranians Face Trauma and Repression After the Israel-Iran War
A dust storm swept through Tehran Tuesday morning, cloaking the city of 10 million with reduced visibility and deteriorated air quality. But it also brought a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran...
dawnmena.org
June 26, 2025 at 2:51 PM
“I feel shattered in my heart because I feel like we are being stripped out of our agency, our will and our choices... we are paying the price with our blood,” @jessiewill.bsky.social reports on Iranian reactions to the Israel-Iran, in DAWN's Democracy in Exile.
For the last 2 weeks I've been speaking to Iranians inside and outside Iran. While peace appears to be holding following the bloody 12-day war with Israel, they are bracing themselves - not only for more bombs but a wave of repression from the Islamic Republic. My piece: dawnmena.org/peace-is-far...
Peace is far from guaranteed:” Iranians Face Trauma and Repression After the Israel-Iran War
A dust storm swept through Tehran Tuesday morning, cloaking the city of 10 million with reduced visibility and deteriorated air quality. But it also brought a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran...
dawnmena.org
June 26, 2025 at 8:29 AM
For the last 2 weeks I've been speaking to Iranians inside and outside Iran. While peace appears to be holding following the bloody 12-day war with Israel, they are bracing themselves - not only for more bombs but a wave of repression from the Islamic Republic. My piece: dawnmena.org/peace-is-far...
Reposted by Jessie Williams
When your editors ask you what you plan to say in the story you were supposed to file that afternoon:
June 19, 2025 at 4:21 PM
When your editors ask you what you plan to say in the story you were supposed to file that afternoon:
On the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, Kelly Kimball and I looked at how women and girls’ bodies have become a frontline in eastern DRC’s mineral war — with over 60 rapes reported daily in a two-week span.
www.moretoherstory.com/stories/wome...
www.moretoherstory.com/stories/wome...
Women and Girls’ Bodies Become a Frontline in the DRC’s Mineral War — More to Her Story
An average of 60 rapes a day were reported in eastern Congo in a span of just two weeks — a crisis unfolding in silence as the world marks the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence ...
www.moretoherstory.com
June 19, 2025 at 3:49 PM
On the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, Kelly Kimball and I looked at how women and girls’ bodies have become a frontline in eastern DRC’s mineral war — with over 60 rapes reported daily in a two-week span.
www.moretoherstory.com/stories/wome...
www.moretoherstory.com/stories/wome...
Reposted by Jessie Williams
NEW: Sri Lankan women are helping to clear the land mines that are a legacy of their country’s civil war, but while the land may be healing, society is not, reports @jessiewill.bsky.social for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
newlinesmag.com/reportage/sr...
newlinesmag.com/reportage/sr...
Sri Lanka’s War Widows Are Clearing Its Land of Mines
The ongoing demining work has provided a lifeline to many and proved a great success, but the country bears other wounds that may be harder to heal
newlinesmag.com
May 21, 2025 at 11:17 AM
NEW: Sri Lankan women are helping to clear the land mines that are a legacy of their country’s civil war, but while the land may be healing, society is not, reports @jessiewill.bsky.social for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
newlinesmag.com/reportage/sr...
newlinesmag.com/reportage/sr...
I interviewed activists in Africa who are bracing themselves for an influx of some of the most powerful, ultra-conservative, anti-rights campaigners from the US & Europe over the coming months at a series of "family values" conferences. For @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
‘We’re ready to fight’: activists brace as US anti-rights figures descend on Africa
Ultra-conservative campaigners fly in for ‘family values’ conferences to share tactics with African allies who oppose abortion and LGBTQ+ rights
www.theguardian.com
May 9, 2025 at 3:37 PM
I interviewed activists in Africa who are bracing themselves for an influx of some of the most powerful, ultra-conservative, anti-rights campaigners from the US & Europe over the coming months at a series of "family values" conferences. For @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Reposted by Jessie Williams
1/ For ProPublica’s “Life of the Mother” series, winner of the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for public service, we reported on five pregnant women who died after not receiving timely medical care in states with strict abortion bans.
These are their stories 🧵
These are their stories 🧵
May 7, 2025 at 12:00 AM
1/ For ProPublica’s “Life of the Mother” series, winner of the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for public service, we reported on five pregnant women who died after not receiving timely medical care in states with strict abortion bans.
These are their stories 🧵
These are their stories 🧵
Reposted by Jessie Williams
Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna disappeared in 2022 while reporting on the torture of Ukrainian civilians held in informal detention centers by Russian force. In October 2024, she was declared dead in Russian captivity.
Read our full investigation 👉 forbiddenstories.org/russia-detai...
Read our full investigation 👉 forbiddenstories.org/russia-detai...
Russia’s ‘Ghost Detainees’: The Investigation That Cost Viktoriia Roshchyna Her Life
Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna was pronounced dead in Russian captivity in October 2024, after being secretly held for months in Russian-occupied Ukraine and a Russian prison. In February 20...
forbiddenstories.org
April 29, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna disappeared in 2022 while reporting on the torture of Ukrainian civilians held in informal detention centers by Russian force. In October 2024, she was declared dead in Russian captivity.
Read our full investigation 👉 forbiddenstories.org/russia-detai...
Read our full investigation 👉 forbiddenstories.org/russia-detai...
I interviewed protestors in Istanbul about why they are taking to the streets. “The government is now usurping our freedoms, our right to vote and be elected, and even our lives as individuals,” 19-year-old Rana told me while on her way to a protest. For @theipaper.com inews.co.uk/news/world/t...
Turkey protests continue despite government ban, mass arrests and media crackdown
Protesters tell The i Paper they are facing police brutality and expect it to escalate
inews.co.uk
March 25, 2025 at 10:13 AM
I interviewed protestors in Istanbul about why they are taking to the streets. “The government is now usurping our freedoms, our right to vote and be elected, and even our lives as individuals,” 19-year-old Rana told me while on her way to a protest. For @theipaper.com inews.co.uk/news/world/t...
#JournoRequest Looking to speak to young people in Turkey who are participating in the demonstrations in Istanbul after the arrest of #İmamoğlu for
@theipaper.com. Can be anonymous. Please get in touch asap, thanks!
@theipaper.com. Can be anonymous. Please get in touch asap, thanks!
March 24, 2025 at 1:36 PM
#JournoRequest Looking to speak to young people in Turkey who are participating in the demonstrations in Istanbul after the arrest of #İmamoğlu for
@theipaper.com. Can be anonymous. Please get in touch asap, thanks!
@theipaper.com. Can be anonymous. Please get in touch asap, thanks!
Cutting the UK's foreign aid budget from 0.5% to 0.3% will disproportionately impact women & girls, sexual & reproductive rights around the world - which comes weeks after Trump's decision to freeze international aid & reinstate the global gag rule, already putting so many vulnerable people at risk.
Starmer’s cuts to UK aid budget are ‘cruel and shameful’, say experts
Reduction to 0.3% of gross national income in order to fund defence spending has been decried as a ‘move to appease Trump’
www.theguardian.com
February 26, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Cutting the UK's foreign aid budget from 0.5% to 0.3% will disproportionately impact women & girls, sexual & reproductive rights around the world - which comes weeks after Trump's decision to freeze international aid & reinstate the global gag rule, already putting so many vulnerable people at risk.