By Justina Auta
Stakeholders have urged media practioners to expose gaps that have hindered the elimination of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the country.
They also tasked the journalists to as well expose the perpetrators of GBV to ensure survivors get justice.
The stakeholders made the call at a One-day training organised by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) chapel, of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) for female journalists.
The training was also in collaboration with Female Reporters Leadership Programme of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (FRLP-WSCIJ)
Ms Ladi Bala, the NAWOJ President, said the media has a role in ensuring GBV and other harmful traditional practices affecting women and children were eliminated in the society.
Bala stressed the need for journalists to amplify GBV cases in their reportage with a view towards ensuring that policies and programmes targeted at the cause are implemented.
She noted the role of media as the voice of the voiceless, adding that when GBV cases are amplified in the media space, relevant authorities and the society will partner to ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted.
Mrs Bassey Ita-Ikpang, thr Convener and NUJ-NTA Secretary, said the exercise was to broaden knowledge of female journalists on GBV reporting, gender inclusivity, cyber bullying in the face of Artificial Intelligence and mental health.
Ita-Ikpang encouraged the media to collaborate with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other stakeholders to expose the gaps on the elimination of GBV and ensure government takes action.
“There are certain places we cannot enter, there are certain steps, especially for those of us that work with the government.
“So we should collaborate with the CSOs because they can get one to where you are. There are so many gaps, so we should be exposing the gaps, write and let the government take action.
“Let us not be deterred, but keep writing because that is the only thing we have,” she added.
Ms Inimfon Etuk, the Founder, She Forum Africa, urged the media to also focus on the needs of GBV survivors in their reportage, and not continue to promote and provide a fore background for perpetrators. She said: “We should avoid sensationalising our headlines; GBV reporting is not something you use to trend or get loud margin for our media houses.
“It Is a crime that has been committed, someone has been violated, someone’s human rights has been violated.
“And the media, more than anything else has the responsibility of advancing the narrative in a way that brings perpetrators to book that should be the focus and priority of every report.”
On her part, Mrs Halima Musa, the Director News, NTA, underscored the need for the media to use their various platforms to continue to champion the fight against GBV and other harmful traditional practices affecting women and children in the society. (NAN)