Foundation Moves Against Gender Violence, Trains Female Journalists

As part of its efforts to ensure elimination of Sexual and Gender- Based Violence (SGBV) in the society, the Lizzy Anche Foundation (LAF) in collaboration with Nigerian Women Trust Fund and Ford Foundation has trained over 50 female journalists on reporting and production of radio programmes on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

The manager, Salama Referral Centre Kafanchan, Mrs Grace Yohanna urged Nigerians, especially women and girls, to break the culture of silence.

She said their aim was to see a society free from all forms of assault, a society where people should be able to speak up.

She disclosed that her centre had recorded 3,031 cases of GBV, 2,606 women assaulted, 425 males assaulted and 312 rape cases.

In her presentation on trauma- informed reporting, Kaneng Rwang Pam urged journalists to create a friendly environment required in upholding the privacy and confidentiality of survivors.

She also urged news reporters to humanise issues, break the silence and inspire hope, prioritise informed consent, utilise case studies and testimonials to educate and foster empathy, amplify survivors voices for empowerment and broader impact, she said.

The executive director of the foundation, Lizzy Anche, said their aim was to empower media practitioners with skills to address SGBV in Kaduna State and Nigeria. The director, Centre for Gender Studies, Kaduna State University, Prof. Hauwa’u Evelyn Yusuf who spoke on Policy Analysis on Criminal Aspect of SGBV, urged media practitioners to know the VAPP law and its penalties.