By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

Journalists who participated in the two-day Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Media Corps Workshop on Friday in Abuja, commended the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the European Union, and International IDEA for delivering what they described as a practical and transformative training that has strengthened their capacity to report sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) ethically and professionally.

The workshop also featured the inauguration of the SGBV Media Corps, a strategic platform established to promote awareness of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, strengthen reporting on technology-facilitated sexual and gender-based violence (TF-SGBV), increase public awareness of survivor referral pathways, and improve collaboration between journalists, government agencies, and civil society organisations.

Organisers described the Corps as more than a media network, saying it is a structured platform for coordinated, ethical, and survivor-centred journalism capable of challenging harmful social norms, promoting accountability, and supporting Nigeria’s efforts to end sexual and gender-based violence.

Speaking at the close of the workshop, the journalists said the training broadened their understanding of survivor-centred reporting and equipped them with practical tools to produce more accurate, ethical, and impactful stories on SGBV and technology-facilitated SGBV.

They noted that the sessions exposed them to investigative reporting techniques, multimedia storytelling, digital tools, and evidence-based reporting methods that would enhance the quality of coverage on gender-based violence.

The journalists also applauded the workshop’s practical approach, particularly the hands-on exercises on developing stories from documents and available evidence, saying the sessions deepened their understanding of how to produce compelling investigative reports while protecting survivors’ dignity.

They observed that the training had increased their confidence to report sensitive issues more responsibly and would enable them to highlight the experiences of survivors, expose systemic challenges, and promote greater public awareness of available support services.

The participants further stated that the workshop strengthened their understanding of the unique challenges faced by vulnerable groups, including women, children, and persons with disabilities, particularly the barriers they encounter in seeking justice and accessing essential services.

They pledged to reflect these realities in their reporting by producing stories that amplify the voices of vulnerable populations without reinforcing stigma or discrimination.

The journalists equally praised the facilitation style adopted during the workshop, describing it as highly participatory and inclusive.

According to them, the facilitators ensured that every participant contributed to discussions, creating an interactive learning environment that encouraged the exchange of ideas and experiences among journalists from different media organisations.

They also commended the organisers for providing an accessible and inclusive learning environment, noting that the venue accommodated persons with disabilities and encouraged meaningful participation by all attendees.

While expressing appreciation for the quality of the training, the journalists recommended that future editions be extended beyond the current two-day format to allow more time for practical sessions, case studies, field exercises, and peer learning.

They said the additional time would enable participants to engage more deeply with the complex issues surrounding sexual and gender-based violence and further strengthen their investigative and ethical reporting skills.

The workshop was organised by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) with support from the European Union Support to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (ESGBV) Programme, implemented by International IDEA.

It brought together journalists from the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna States to strengthen public engagement on sexual and gender-based violence through ethical, survivor-centred, and evidence-informed journalism.

The journalists reaffirmed their commitment to using the knowledge gained during the training and through the newly inaugurated SGBV Media Corps to produce stories that promote prevention, strengthen accountability, improve public awareness of survivor support and referral pathways, and contribute to ending sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria.