Group Seeks Media Collaboration on Gender-based Violence Reportage, Trains 30 Journalists in Anambra

By Praise Chinecherem

Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre (GPSDC), an advocacy group has called for increased media awareness on dangers of Gender-based Violence in the society.

GPSDC Executive Director, Eucharia Anekwe made the call in Awka, Anambra State on Thursday while addressing 30 media practitioners who participated in a one day training on reportage, content development and amplifying voices of survivors of gender-based violence.

AnambraDaily gathered that the training for select journalists drawn from print and electronic media was organized by GPSDC with support from the Women Aid Collective (WACOL).

Anekwe remarked that the training was targeted at strengthening media capacity in sensitive/survivor-centred GBV reportage, accurate framing of gender issues, developing GBV-focused content and amplifying the voices of survivors and vulnerable groups.

She said the training was also to reinforce collaboration between the media and implementing partners toward advancing advocacy for a safer and more gender-responsive society.

She further disclosed that GPSDC, with WACOL was implementing a project titled “Empowering Christian Women and Women Leaders of Culture for the Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria Through the Strengthening of Grassroots Organisations”.

According to her, the training for select journalists and media practitioners in Anambra State was part of the project’s capacity-strengthening component.

“We are pleased to have you participate in this important engagement, considering your role and contribution to quality journalism.”

GPSDC’s Program Manager, Oge Ozoemena, also urged the participants to take advantage of the training to improve quality of GBV stories, deploy survivor centered language and create positive social change awareness.

She expressed optimism that the workshop would equip participants with tools to amplify survivors’ voices responsibility as well as collaborate with civil society organizations to reduce GBV cases.

Among resource persons at the training included Dr Julius Nwosu who delivered paper on “Legal and Ethical Frameworks for GBV Reporting in Nigeria” and Dr Emeka Odogwu who spoke on “Media as an Advocate – Using Reporting to Drive Social Change Through Content Development and Media Strategies”