A non governmental organisation, Women Rights and Health Project (WRAHP), has trained journalists on ethical reporting of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence(SGBV)cases
Speaking on the final day of the two-day training programme on Friday in Lagos, Bose Ironsi, Executive Director WRAHP, said the training aimed at strengthening ethical reporting, documentation, and follow-up of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases.
Ironsi said that the training was implemented under WRAHP’s project, titled, “Scaling up Access to Justice–Related Social Services for Women and Girls Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Lagos and Edo States.”
She added that the programme was implemented with support of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC II).
According to her, 20 journalists and media representatives, drawn from media organisations across Lagos and Edo States, participated in the programme.
“The sessions are designed to improve the quality of SGBV reporting while ensuring survivor-centered, ethical, and rights-based media engagement,” she said.
Ironsi emphasised the critical role of the media in advancing access to justice for survivors, noting that media plays a powerful role in shaping public perception, influencing accountability, and amplifying survivors’ voices.
She said ethical, accurate, and sensitive reporting was essential to ensuring that survivors are protected and supported rather than re-traumatised.
Taking participants through the training, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, Ag. Head, Lagos Office Operations of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said a number of legal, cultural and social issues should be taken into consideration when collecting data on violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Omowole, however, said discussing violence could be highly sensitive and potentially traumatising, particularly if survivors are revisiting past experiences.
“Collecting information from women and girls about their experiences of violence must, therefore, be done in a safe and ethical manner to ensure data quality is not compromised and respondents’ and interviewers’ physical, psychological, and social well-being are not put at risk in the process,” she said.
The training commended on Thursday, held in Lagos State and Edo simultaneously.
Responding on behalf of the participants, Mr Shakirudeen Bankole, Publisher, Nigeria Frontline News, said that the training was eye-opening as it further reinforced what was already known.
Bankole said that the programme had expanded participants’ knowledge on the need for ethical compliance while reporting SGBV cases.
