INTERNATIONAL Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Nigeria, has called on the media to change negative social norms on violence against women and girls.
The Country Vice-President, FIDA Nigeria, Mrs Amina Agbaje, said this at a media parley preparatory to FIDA Annual General Conference slated for Nov. 23 to Nov. 26 in Abuja.
The theme of media parley is ‘the life saving trumpet of the vulnerable women and children in the society’.
She said the media should promote accountability to end violence against women and children.
“Let me note that without the work of the media in our society, most challenges of women and children will not have been brought to the limelight, let alone receiving positive attention.
“Media has helped in reporting women suffering under the yoke and burden of negative and harmful cultural practices such as patriarchy, female genital mutilation and female disinheritance.
“Others are sexual and gender-based violence and media engagement has promoted the political participation of a lot of women and the media drew attention to abuses leading to arrest and prosecution of offenders,” Agbaje said.
She, however, said, there was need for continuous networking and partnership with media organisations in the reportage of all forms of violence and abuses against women and children.
Agbaje urged that there should be more capacity building required for young and upcoming journalists on gender and child protection.
“We challenge you to be objective, courageous, passionate and diligent in the line of duty, particularly as it concerns your role as investigative journalists ensure follow through till the end,” she said.
The Director, Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Department,. NATIP, Mrs Ijeoma Amugo, said the media pleday pivotal roles in ensuring that victims received media counseling, legal and rehabilitation intervention.
Amugo, who was represented by Assistant Director, Legal and Prosecution Department, Mrs Nkaiso Eshiet, urged media to see victims and survivors of Trafficking In Persons (TIP) and Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) as a vulnerable group.
She also said that there was the need for protection and assistance through a balanced reportage of cases, protecting their identities during investigation and trial.
Amugo said the agency recommended that organisations create a co-mentoring series for victims of TIP and SGBV in their care as a way of providing psychological support to victims.
“We must not relent in advocating for the rights of Nigerian women, girls and children through effective reportage of cases,” Amugo said.
The President, Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) , Ms Ladi Balaz said there was need for training of journalists on proper reportage of gender related matters.
“There is need to change the narrative and change the mindset of journalists themselves, seeing things in different perspectives.
“Journalists need to understand the issues properly knowing VAPP laws, norms and continuous training of journalists to understand the dynamics,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FIDA International was founded in 1944 in Mexico by a group of women lawyers from Cuba, El-Salvador, Mexico, Puerto Rico and USA.
FIDA Nigeria is an NGO, not- for-profit organisation of over 4,000 women called to practice of law in Nigeria. (NAN)
