…says the media can highten the fight against gender based violence through agenda setting, accurate, honest and clear communication
A media expert, Mrs Ify Unachukwu has charged media practitioners to partner with Civil Society organizations to enhance the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV).
She also noted that the media could highten the fight against gender based violence through agenda setting, accurate and clear communication on GBV.
Unachukwu spoke during a one-day capacity training for selected media practitioners in Anambra State organized by Women Situation Room Nigeria and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Nigeria.
Speaking on “Understanding Gender Based Violence, Strategies for Combating it and issues for Advocacy”, the veteran journalist explained that reproductive rights are legal rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health.
She also argued that GBV is against the law and everybody has right to adequate living standards.
“The media can highten the fight against gender based violence through agenda setting, accurate, honest and clear communication on gender based violence,” she said.
Earlier, Anambra State Coordinator Women Situation Room, Nigeria,WSRN, Miss Hope Okoye, said the WSRN is a women-led civil society organization initiative aimed at encouraging women participation in politics, governance and promotion of peace.
She said the training was targeted at strengthening capacities of the media personnel to report on gender equality issues especially during elections, strengthen investigative journalism, ethical considerations for engaging with survivors of violence among others.
While stressing that prevention of gender based violence should be holistic, Okoye regretted that GBV is fueled by societal values, orientation, harmful cultural practices.
She however noted that the situation could be reduced with adequate public sensitization on the provisions of the law especially VAPP law on the issues of gender based violence.
Okoye also disclosed thst Women’s Situation Room Nigeria free -toll line would be opened on the eve of the forthcoming general elections, encouraging all to key in and give the body feedback on the election process.
