Thirty journalists from various media organisations in Kaduna State are undergoing a two-day intensive training on ethical reporting of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).The workshop, which began on Friday, 5 December, is designed to equip journalists with the skills needed to report GBV and SRHR issues responsibly, without causing further harm to survivors—particularly women and girls.Organised by the International Society for Media in Public Health (ISMPH) with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the training positions journalists as key actors in shaping public opinion, influencing policy, and challenging harmful societal norms through their reportage.Coming amid the global 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, the initiative seeks to strengthen the media’s role as a vital ally in combating injustice, amplifying survivor voices, and promoting accountability at community and institutional levels.In a virtual address, ISMPH Executive Director, Mrs. Moji Makanjuola, said the media has a critical responsibility to highlight difficult issues and drive national conversations that can inspire meaningful change.She cautioned, however, that poorly framed stories often reinforce stigma and silence survivors, while accurate and sensitive reporting has the power to break cycles of violence.
Mrs. Makanjuola urged journalists to challenge stereotypes, investigate deeper societal factors, and embrace the use of local languages to reach communities where harmful practices remain widespread. She expressed optimism that the capacity-building effort would transform newsroom culture and strengthen advocacy for women’s rights.UNFPA representative, Dr. Elvis Evborein, described perpetrators of GBV as “formidable forces,” stressing that journalists must become “equally formidable partners” in exposing abuse and championing justice.He noted that many perpetrators hold psychological, social, or economic power over their victims, leaving survivors unable to seek help without external support. He added that the training aligns with global efforts to end GBV and child marriage, and that improved reporting will help reduce the culture of silence that shields abusers.
According to Dr. Evborein, the training provides journalists with trauma-informed reporting tools, deeper insight into SRHR, and strategies for identifying systemic drivers of violence. Sessions also cover sensitive interviewing techniques, debunking misinformation, and detecting warning signs that often go unnoticed in everyday reporting.Participants acknowledged that the training addresses a long-standing knowledge gap and will enable them to produce more impactful, survivor-centered stories that promote prevention, accountability, and community protection.
Organisers noted that the ripple effect of improved reporting will be significant, leading to better-informed audiences, more responsive institutions, and increased pressure on policymakers.They emphasized that the collaboration between ISMPH and UNFPA reflects a strong commitment to building a media landscape that not only informs the public but actively contributes to ending GBV and advancing SRHR. The goal, they said, is to help create a safer and more equitable environment for women and girls in Kaduna and across Nigeria.
