Journalists participating in the coverage of the 2023 general elections have been charged to protect the interest of womenfolk in their reportage.
Speakers at a one day training programme for media personnel and organisations on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and elections in Nigeria held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ Press Centre, Ilorin, also canvassed the need for journalists to report physical assaults on women during the elections.
They also requested journalists to be sympathetic to the plights of the women in their reports.
One of the speakers at the event, Mrs Angela Okoye- Kolawole told journalists to amplify any form of attack or violence against women before, during and after the elections.
Okoye- Kolawole’s lecture was titled, “Reporting Violence Against Women In Elections (VAWE).
She posited that VAWE is a threat to the electoral process, adding that it can affect women’s participation as voters, candidates, election’s officials, activists and political party leaders as it undermines the free, fair and inclusive democratic process.
She charged journalists to look out for cases of intimidation that can prevent women from voting or doing other duties relating to electioneering process, denying women access to polling units; physical assault on women voters, electoral officers, observers and media personnel.
“The importance of reporting such issues is to help the nation gather data for planning of future elections, ensure perpetrators are exposed and punished,ensure that incidences are escalated to the appropriate channels,” Okoye- Kolawole stated.
Also speaking, the executive director of Women Environment and Youth Development Initiative, Mrs Tosin Apiriola-Ajayi, said the organisation has set up a situation room in Ilorin, the state capital, where election observers posted to the 16 local government areas of the state would be giving information on election situation, particularly as it concerns women.
The lead paper presenter who doubles as the director, Federal Information Centre, Ilorin, Hajia Biliqees Oladimeji, asked journalists to report any violence against women, especially when the interest of women are not put into consideration in performing their civic responsibility.
She said the purpose of the training for media personnel on SGBV and elections in Nigeria is to equip journalists with the knowledge, skills, and tools to effectively report and address the intersection of SGBV and elections.
She added that the training aimed to increase awareness among media personnel about the prevalence and impact of SGBV, particularly during election periods, and the intersections between SGBV and elections.
“The training aims to improve the reporting skills of media personnel, particularly in relation to ethical and responsible reporting on SGBV and elections.The training aims to enhance the understanding of media personnel about the legal and policy frameworks that govern SGBV and elections in Nigeria, including relevant laws, policies, and guidelines.
“The training aims to promote survivor-centered reporting, which prioritizes the safety and well-being of survivors and avoids retraumatization or perpetuating harmful stereotypes.The training aims to encourage media personnel to become advocates for social change by using their platform to raise awareness, promote prevention measures, and advocate for policy and practice changes that promote gender equality and prevent violence.
“ Overall, the training aims to equip media personnel with the knowledge, skills, and tools to effectively report on and address the intersection of SGBV and elections in Nigeria, in a way that is accurate, ethical, and survivor-centered. By doing so, the training seeks to contribute to the prevention of SGBV and the promotion of gender equality and social justice.”
On the prevalence and impact of SGBV in Nigeria, Hajia Oladimeji said a survey conducted by the Nigerian government in 2014 showed that 28 percent of women and 25 percent of men have experienced sexual violence at some point in their lives.
“A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2013 found that 30 percent of Nigerian women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence, and 9 percent have experienced sexual violence, in the past 12 months. SGBV is often underreported due to stigma, fear of reprisals, and lack of access to justice,” she stated.
The lead speaker revealed that SGBV has significant physical, psychological, and social consequences for survivors, including physical injuries, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
She explained that SGBV also has broader societal impacts, including reduced economic productivity, increased healthcare costs, and perpetuation of gender inequalities, adding that :” SGBV is often associated with other forms of violence, such as domestic violence and child abuse, which can compound the negative effects on survivors and their families.”
She, however, pointed out that the prevalence and impact of SGBV in the country may vary depending on a range of factors, including geographic location, age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
Addressing SGBV according to her requires a multifaceted approach that includes prevention, protection, and response measures.
She posited that the media has an important role to play in raising awareness about SGBV and holding perpetrators accountable.
She identified patriarchal cultural norms, poverty and economic inequality, harmful traditional practices,poor access to justice, conflict and displacement; and substance abuse as common causes and risk factors for SGBV in the country.
The director who said SGBV and elections are two issues that are intersecting stressed the need for the stakeholders to address this intersection to prevent further harm to individuals and communities.
She noted that SGBV can increase during election periods due to the tensions and heightened emotions that arise.
“These can include sexual harassment, assault, and exploitation, particularly of vulnerable populations such as women, children, and people with disabilities.There have been instances where SGBV has been used as a political tool to intimidate and silence political opponents or to influence the voting patterns of certain populations. This can include rape, sexual harassment, and other forms of violence.SGBV can create barriers to political participation for marginalized populations, particularly women and girls. This can include fear of violence, limited access to information or resources, and cultural norms that limit women’s agency and mobility. SGBV can have significant impacts on governance and democracy, as it can lead to a culture of fear and mistrust, as well as limit the participation of certain groups in the political process,” she added.
Hajia Oladimeji noted that electoral violence can have a significant impact on women and other marginalized groups in Nigeria.
She concluded that the media has an important role to play in reporting SGBV issues during elections in Nigeria.
She listed raising awareness, holding perpetrators accountable,
promoting prevention,providing survivor-centered reporting and
advocating for policy and practice changes as some of the ways by which the media can discourage SGBV in the society.
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