Journalists have been urged to synergize with Civil Society organizations to enhance the fight against gender based violence.
A resource person, Mrs. Ify Unachukwu, stated this during a one day capacity training for media practitioners held in Awka.
The training which was organized by Women Situation Room Nigeria and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Nigeria, attracted select media practitioners based in Anambra State.
The resource person, Mrs. Unachukwu speaking on Understanding Gender Based Violence, Strategies for Combating it and issues for Advocacy, enumerated some of the objectives of the training to include to strengthen 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 saying that reproductive rights are legal rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health, Mrs. Unachukwu stated that gender based violence is against the law and everybody has the right to adequate living standards.
She further noted that the media can enlighten the fight against gender based violence through agenda setting, accurate, honest and clear communication on gender based violence.
In her remarks, the Anambra State Coordinator, Women Situation Room, Nigeria, Miss Hope Okoye, said that WSRN is a women -led civil society organization initiative aimed at encouraging women participation in politics, governance and promotion of peace.
She noted that prevention of gender based violence should be holistic even as she opined that Gender Based Violence is fueled by societal values, orientation, harmful cultural practices but with adequate sensitization of the public on the provisions of the law on the issues of gender based violence, the situation will be reduced.
Miss Okoye also disclosed that on the eve of the 2023 elections, Women’s Situation Room Nigeria free -toll line would be open and encouraged everyone to key in and give them feedback on the election process.
During the interactive session, some of the participants and many others made insightful contributions to the issues of gender based violence ravaging the society.
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