Nigeria Union Of Journalists Hold Workshop On Gender Based Violence
By: Tochukwu Ifejika, Awka
Former Commissioner for Information and Culture in Anambra State, Dr Tony Onyima, who discussed the topic “Eradicating Violence Against Women: The Role of Journalists,” listed ways the media can help eliminate violence against women to include treating gender-based violence as a human rights violation, always explaining the context, reporting from the point of the aggressor rather than the point of the victim and balancing of their reports, among others.
“The media has a great responsibility to promote the advocacy towards ending violence against women, and I call on journalists to report accurately as it concerns the menace,”he reiterated.
Another resource person Professor Ogugua Ikpeze, the Dean, Faculty of Law, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, ably represented by Dr Helen Obi, in a lecture was lamenting the rising number of casualties from abusive relationships, stated that advocacy moves might not have stronger effects if victims continue to play endurance and hide games.
“It’s been argued that women empowerment, equal opportunities and social re-orientation would go a long way to curbing violence against women, and I commend the efforts of Anambra State Government in tackling cases of domestic violence and abuses,” she stated.
The Area Manager and Deputy Director, Industrial Training Fund, (ITF), Mrs. Nancy Ekong, listed domestic and sexually related violence, female genital mutilation, girl child marriage, obnoxious cultural practices and harmful rituals among others, as gender-based issues that must be addressed urgently.
The President General, Enugwu Agidi Town Union, Pharmacist Victor Okeke, emphasized that violence against women is not limited to Africa or Nigeria alone but a global issue and attributed it to indiscipline and intolerance between men and women.
The NUJ Chairman, Anambra State Council, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu and the chairman, International Training and Human Development Committee, Mrs. Uche Kalu, in their separate remarks, noted that the event was designed to expose journalists to the professional demands of tackling violence against women and the need for effective reportage of the vice.
In attendance were selected journalists from all the chapels in Anambra State Council of NUJ, as well as Mass communication students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (NAU).
Olusola Akintonde
