From Ifeoma Ejiofor
Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre (GPSDC) with support from WACOL has organized a day training for Media practitioners on gender based violence.
The training which also involved content development and amplifying survivor voices held at Vertex View Hotel, Nibo in Awka South LGA of Anambra State.
GPSDC has been empowering Christian Women Leaders and other community women leaders of Culture towards prevention and response to gender based violence in Nigeria through strengthening of grassroot organizations.
In her opening remarks, Ozoemena Ogechukwu the Project Manager of GPSDC said that her group has been sensitizing Christian women, women leaders and others on gender based violence in Nigeria.
Two resource persons from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odoegwu and Dr Julius Chibuike Nwosu lectured participants on their responsibility as media persons to survivors of gender based violence.
In his presentation, Dr Julius Chibuikem Nwosu noted that gender based violence could be physical and emotional.
He said that journalists have responsibility of raising the voices of the victims through their reportage.
Also Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu in his presentation identified the role of media practitioners in shaping attitudes, and empowering the survivors of gender based violence.
Dr Odogwu tasked journalists to use their publications to influence cultural and societal change.
“Use your pen, microphone, camera and other materials used in journalism to protect survivors of gender based violence. Let your stories inspire hope and minimize incidence of gender based violence in Nigeria,” Dr Odogwu asserted
Thirty journalists participated in the training.