By Harriet Ijeomah
As violence and insecurity continue to shape daily life across parts of Nigeria, communities in Imo and Benue States are living with more than just the sound of gunfire and fear of displacement. They are also grappling with the silent, deeply personal scars of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) , an often-overlooked consequence of the country’s growing insecurity.
In response to this alarming trend, the Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC) Nigeria, in partnership with the Community and Youth Development Initiative (CYDI) and the Justice and Rights Initiative (JRI), held a two-day media training workshop in Enugu State on October 29–30, 2025.
Supported by the Ford Foundation, the training was part of the project titled “Strengthening Capacity and Oversight on the Use of Human Rights Principles in the Prevention of Conflict-Related Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.” It brought together journalists from Benue and Imo States to deepen their understanding of conflict-related SGBV, improve their reporting skills, and use journalism as a tool to promote peace and accountability.
A Hidden Crisis Behind Conflict and Displacement
Insecurity in both Imo and Benue has taken many forms from farmer-herder clashes and communal disputes in Benue to militant activities, kidnappings, and military operations in Imo’s Orlu and Okigwe zones. Beyond the violence that makes headlines, the breakdown of community systems and law enforcement has made women and girls more vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and sexual violence.
According to data from humanitarian agencies and local rights groups, cases of gender-based violence in conflict-affected areas of Benue and Imo have more than doubled over the past three years, with many incidents going unreported due to stigma, fear of reprisal, and lack of access to justice.
“Communities are suffering from the effects of sexual and gender-based violence, especially now that conflict has escalated the problem,” said Benjamin Mbakwem, a development expert and one of the training facilitators. “The media has a powerful voice and an extensive reach. It’s important that development workers collaborate with journalists to ensure peace and minimize the injustices communities face.”
Mbakwem emphasized that journalists play a crucial role in shaping public perception and policy around gender and human rights. He urged participants to approach SGBV stories with empathy, respect for survivors’ safety, and have understanding of the legal frameworks such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) that protect victims and hold offenders accountable.
Strengthening the Media’s Voice for Peace
For Pascal Anozie, CIRDDOC’s Project Manager, the goal of the training is not just about improving journalistic accuracy, it’s about building a bridge between media and human rights advocacy.
“The decision to train journalists was driven by the need to promote responsible reporting and amplify voices calling for change,” Anozie said. “When journalists understand the human rights implications of conflict and gender-based violence, their stories can challenge harmful norms and influence government action.”
Felfames Enisire, Executive Director of CYDI, explained that conflict itself has become a driver of SGBV in Nigeria. In states like Benue and Imo, families have been displaced, livelihoods disrupted, and trust in institutions eroded creating conditions where violence, especially against women and girls, thrives.
“We carefully selected young journalists from these states because they are closest to the realities on the ground,” Enisire noted. “Our goal is to build their capacity to tell these sensitive stories without causing more harm, but rather to promote healing, accountability, and social change.”
From Training Room to Airwaves: Voices of Change
Among the participants was Faith Achonwa, a broadcaster from Imo State, who described the training as an eye-opener.
“I will use my radio platform to sensitize my audience about conflict-related SGBV,” she said. “We will talk about how it affects families, communities, and especially women and girls. I will invite CSOs as guests to help listeners understand the services available for survivors.”
Another journalist, Chidera Ujah, plans to integrate SGBV discussions into her radio and online programs, focusing on survivor protection and awareness.
“The challenge often comes when survivors withdraw consent or lose trust,” she said. “But with the right approach, empathy, and collaboration with CSOs, we can build confidence and ensure that their stories are told with dignity.”
Other journalists present also echoed shared plans to track their progress by monitoring audience engagement and feedback, an approach that aligns with CIRDDOC’s vision of media-driven impact.
Building Hope Amid Insecurity
The Ford Foundation supported project recognizes that while the root causes of violence in Benue and Imo are complex ranging from poverty, land disputes, and youth unemployment to governance failure, the media remains a critical tool for fostering peace and changing public attitudes.
Promoting ethical storytelling, data-driven journalism, and survivor-centered reporting, CIRDDOC and its partners are equipping journalists to not just report the crisis, but to reshape it—story by story, community by community.
“The legislation exists, but what we need is the political will to make our communities safe,” Mbakwem said. “The media can help drive that will.”
