LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Women’s Right and Health Project, (WRAHP), managers of the Ireti Resource Centre, has held a two-day capacity-building training for media professionals in Lagos and Edo States.
The training is to strengthen ethical, survivor-centred reporting of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases.
The training, which brought together journalists and media representatives from various organisations across the two states, was implemented under WRAHP’s project, “Scaling up Access to Justice–Related Social Services for Women and Girls Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Lagos and Edo States,” with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC II).
A total of 20 participants took part in the programme, which was designed to improve the quality of SGBV reporting, enhance follow-up and documentation of cases, and promote ethical, rights-based media engagement that prioritises the safety and dignity of survivors.
The training sessions held simultaneously at the Edo Heritage Hotel, Benin City, for Edo State participants, and Elomaz Hotel, Maryland, Lagos, for their Lagos counterparts.
Across both locations, participants were trained on key thematic areas including an overview of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and its social impact, Nigeria’s legal and policy frameworks on SGBV, ethical standards and responsibilities of the media, safeguarding principles and protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), as well as practical skills in case documentation, fact-checking, follow-up reporting, and the handling of sensitive survivor information.
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The sessions also focused on strengthening collaboration between the media, justice sector actors, health service providers, and civil society organisations.
Speaking at the training, the Executive Director of WRAHP, Mrs. Bose Ironsi, underscored the influential role of the media in advancing access to justice for survivors of SGBV.
“The media plays a powerful role in shaping public perception, influencing accountability, and amplifying survivors’ voices,” Ironsi said. “Ethical, accurate, and sensitive reporting is essential to ensuring that survivors are protected and supported, rather than retraumatised.”
She added that responsible media engagement remains critical to strengthening protection systems and driving public accountability in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence.
As part of the programme, participants were supported to develop practical action plans to guide responsible reporting and sustained media advocacy against SGBV within their respective platforms and communities.
Through the initiative, WRAHP reaffirmed its commitment to promoting access to justice, strengthening survivor protection mechanisms, and fostering professional media practices that uphold human rights, dignity, and accountability for women and girls.