By John Dike, Osogbo
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Milestone Agenda for Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative, in partnership with the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), has appealed to journalists to intensify efforts in amplifying reports on gender-based violence (GBV) in order to build a society free of violence.
The call was made during a one-day capacity-building programme tagged “Influencing the Influencers to End GBV” held on Friday in Osogbo, Osun State.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Editor (Politics) of The Sun Newspaper, Mr. Ismail Omipidan, said the training was aimed at equipping journalists with the skills and knowledge to use their platforms for positive social change.
Omipidan, who noted that GBV is on the rise, emphasized the strategic role of media practitioners and influencers in combating the menace.
“Whatever story we are telling as journalists and influencers must be fact-based. We must be sure of the sources of our data and always get consent from survivors before unveiling their identities or using their photographs,” he said.
“If we tell stories about gender-based violence with a human angle, it will strengthen our advocacy and help bring about positive change.”
He also encouraged survivors to speak up, stressing that silence often prevents justice and allows perpetrators to continue their acts.
“For survivors, I encourage them to always tell their stories. We must help them break the torture of silence because unless they speak up, they won’t be able to get justice and we won’t be able to prevent reoccurrence within their communities,” he added.
Omipidan further urged desk editors and programme directors to prioritize GBV issues in their newsrooms and programming.
Also speaking, the Osun State Coordinator of the Inter Africa Committees on the Eradication of Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting Women and Children, Mrs. Aduke Obelawo, commended the media for their efforts but urged them to do more.
“Journalists must be more dedicated to ensuring that survivors get justice and that perpetrators face the full wrath of the law,” she said.
“We have a lot on our hands concerning gender-based violence, and we cannot do it without the intervention of the media. You are the ears and voices for the voiceless. We need you to take this as a responsibility and follow every case to the end.”
She called on journalists to show more passion, commitment, and intentionality in their reporting to help curb GBV and hold offenders accountable.
The capacity-building programme forms part of broader efforts by civil society and media stakeholders to strengthen advocacy and action against gender-based violence in Nigeria.
