The critical role of the media in addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) took center stage at the 2024 Agenda for Capacity Building workshop, held in Abuja on Monday. Organized by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), the event focused on enhancing media reporting on GBV and emphasized the need for ethical, survivor-centered storytelling.
Priye Diri, Programme Manager of the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, called for a humanized approach to reporting GBV. She urged journalists to tell survivors’ stories in ways that avoid retraumatization, stressing the importance of capturing their experiences sensitively. “When we talk about a survivor-centered approach, it’s about humanizing those affected and presenting their journey in a way that does not re-inflict trauma,” Diri said.
Amina Muhammad of Connected Hands for Family Health and Empowerment Initiative (CHAFHEIN) echoed this sentiment, stating that personalized stories resonate more deeply with audiences than statistics. “Sharing humanized stories helps readers connect emotionally and respond meaningfully,” she said, highlighting the media’s power to influence public perception and provoke action against GBV.
Experts at the workshop noted that journalists must also prioritize accuracy and context in their reporting. Idris Akinbajo, Managing Editor of Premium Times, emphasized the importance of understanding legal frameworks, terminologies, and the specific cultural contexts surrounding GBV. “Journalists must understand the laws and terminologies related to GBV and collaborate with experts to ensure responsible reporting,” Akinbajo advised.
The event also underscored the need for media collaboration with stakeholders to amplify awareness of laws like the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, which many Nigerians remain unaware of. Muhammad highlighted the media’s pivotal role in educating the public about such protections, while Akinbajo called for journalists to engage with subject matter experts to refine their reporting practices.
GBV remains a pervasive global issue rooted in systemic power imbalances and gender inequality, with devastating effects on survivors’ physical and emotional well-being. The workshop concluded with a call for the media to not only raise awareness but also drive meaningful change through ethical storytelling and strategic partnerships.
