Workshop demands professionalism from Journalists towards addressing Gender-based Violence in Anambra

Uchenna Johnson

Awka

 Journalists in Anambra State have been urged to improve the quality, sensitivity and ethical standard of reporting Gender-Based Violence (GBV), as the menace continues to grow due to deep-rooted cultural norms and weak enforcement structures.

The charge was made during a one-day capacity building workshop in Awka for media personnel on GBV reportage, content development and amplifying survivor voices.

The training, titled “Empowering Christian Women and Women Leaders of Culture for Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria, Through the Strengthening of Grassroots Organizations " was implemented by Gender Perspective and Social Development Center (GPSDC) with support from WomenAid Collective (WACOL).

The Executive Director of GPSDC, Mrs. Eucharia Anakwe in her remarks, said many GBV cases collapse at the police level because the media often publicise details prematurely, enabling perpetrators to flee.

She noted that improved reportage would enhance justice delivery, strengthen advocacy and promote the work of civil society organizations, urging journalists to apply the knowledge gained and raise the standard of GBV reporting across their platforms.

Delivering a presentation on the legal and ethical framework for GBV Reporting in Nigeria, a Developmental Communication expert and lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr. Julius Nwosu described GBV as pervasive in Nigeria, manifesting through domestic abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, female genital mutilation among others.

Citing a recent demographic survey, he noted that at least 30 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical or sexual violence.

“I urge journalists to understand national and international legal frameworks such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP Act and the Child Rights Act, protect survivors identities and avoid retraumatizing them through insensitive reporting,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State Council, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, said journalists must prioritize survivors’ dignity, consent and safety, warning against sensational headlines.

Odogwu urged reporters to focus on solutions, use visuals responsibly and adopt survivor centred storytelling that drives social change, adding that every story should inspire hope, strengthen accountability and encourage community action.

Giving an overview of the project, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, GPSDC, Mr. Christian Madubueze said the programme aims to empower Christian women and female cultural leaders to challenge harmful norms and promote gender equality within their communities.

He stressed that the media remains a crucial bridge between survivors and support systems.

Contributing during the training, Hajia Khadijat Olahan, Assistant Zonal Coordinator of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), South East II, said the session exposed her to better ways of documenting and reporting GBV cases without endangering survivors.

She narrated cases where victims were afraid to speak out due to fear of being identified, adding that the training has provided safer alternatives for reporting incidents.