Conflict-Related SGBV: Journalists urged to prioritize dignity, safety, wellbeing of survivors

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

Journalists reporting Conflict-Related Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) have been advised to develop survivor-centered reports that prioritize their dignity, safety, wellbeing and also profer solutions to their situations.

This call was made during a 2-Day Media training workshop on “Conflict-Related Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Prevention through Journalism” which held from October 29-30, 2025, in Enugu State.

The workshop was organized by the Civil Resource Development Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC) Nigeria in collaboration with Community and Youth Development Initiative (CYDI) and Justice and Rights Initiative (JRI) with support from Ford Foundation.

CIRDDOC, CYDI and JRI are implementing a project titled “Strengthening Capacity and Oversight on the Use of Human Rights Principles in the Prevention of Conflict-Related Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV)” in Benue and Imo states.

The project, funded by Ford Foundation, focuses on promoting human rights best practices in conflict and SGBV prevention.

The training is aimed at equipping media professionals and reporters from Benue and Imo states with skills and knowledge to grapple with the challenge of reporting conflicted SGBV in a way that does not invites conflict, perpetuate gender stereotypes and inequality but informs and encourages public debate and preventive actions.

Facilitating one of his sessions on the role of the media in countering harmful narratives, promoting peacebuilding and changing narratives, Mr Benjamin Mbakwem, said SGBV is a human rights violation and journalists need to expoe violations and demand accountanility.

Mbakwem, who acknowledged the media as key in in creating awareness on the need to stop all forms of conflict-related SGBV, urged them to educate the public on human rights, available support for survivors, challenge harmful norms, promote survivors dignity through ethical storytelling, amplify survivors voices and prevention and peacebuilding efforts in their various communities.

He also advised newsmen to avoid languages that retruamatize survivors or expose them to public harm, and to always fact check their reports to ensure accuracy and avoid misinformation.

The Senior Programme Officer of CIRDDOC Nigeria, Mazi Jerry Udochu, said over the years, many organizations have focused on response but this is prioritizing prevention of the occurrence of SGBV. So we brought journalists from Benue and Imo states to equip them with the knowledge of SGBV advocacy and sensitization, especially on prevention.”

He called on government agencies and Civil Society Organizations to build a data base that will support accuracy and objectivity in conflict and SGBV reportage.

Earlier, the Project Manager of CIRDDOC, Pascal Anozie, explained that the decision to train the media was informed by the need to promote professionalism in reporting and strengthen the campaign against all forms SGBV in the society. He encouraged participants to give the training the attention it deserves and ensure they apply the knowledge in their daily reportage.

Some of the participants, Mr Joseph Kwaghdega, Gabriel Ordia, Deborah Dekaa from Benue, Lilian Awofeso and Davidson Nwosu from Imo states expressed their excitement to be part of the training and apprecited the organizers saying the knowledge gained will help them in reporting issues of Conflict-related SGBV in a more professional way.