REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
Some Non- Governmental organisations including the Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre (GPSDC) with support of Women Aid Collective (WACOL), and other partners, have trained journalists on reporting gender-based violence (GBV) in Anambra state.
The workshop which held at Nibo in Awka South Local Government Area, had no fewer than 30 journalists practicing in the state from different media houses in attendance.
Declaring the workshop open, the Executive Director of GPSDC, Mrs Eucharia Anekwe, explained that the training was to equip journalists with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively report cases of gender-based violence, promote awareness, and advocate for the rights of survivors.
According to her, part of the project’s capacity-strengthening component was to provide an intensive media training for selected journalists and media practitioners in Anambra State in a one day exercise.
Mrs Anaekwe further stated that the training was to reinforce collaboration between the media and implementing partners toward advancing advocacy for a safer and more gender-responsive society.
A Development Expert from Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Doctor Julius Nwosu, noted that about 30 percent of women between 15 – 49 years have experienced either physical or sexual violence, stressing journalists’ role in promoting accountability and justice delivery through sensitive reporting.
Doctor Nwosu urged journalists to ensure that their reports do not compromise survivors’ safety, dignity and rights.
Another resource person from UNIZIK, Doctor Emeka Odogwu, emphasized the importance of accurate and sensitive reporting of gender-based violence cases, saying it can help reduce stigma and promote support for survivors.
Earlier, the Programme Manager, GPSDC’s, Oge Ozoemena, explained that the event was part of the project aimed to empower christian women and women leaders of culture for the prevention and response to gender-based violence in Nigeria through the strengthening of grassroots organisations.
Some of the Journalists who participated in the training including Uche Ndeke of Radio Nigeria, David Eleke of ThisDay Newspapers and Ukpa Ewa expressed their appreciation for the initiative, stating that it had enhanced their understanding of gender-based violence reporting.
