Media professionals equipped to report GBV with sensitivity and accuracy

Dar es Salaam. Media professionals have been equipped with life skills education aimed at strengthening their capacity to report on gender-based violence (GBV) incidents effectively.

The workshop, held on May 22, was part of the ongoing “Afya Yangu, Haki Yangu” (My Health, My Right) initiative, implemented by the Flaviana Matata Foundation in partnership with the Women Fund Trust (WFT).

The training sought to bridge gaps in knowledge about reproductive health and GBV, while equipping media professionals with tools to communicate these issues accurately and ethically.

Speaking during the session, life skills facilitator Rehema Longo emphasized that journalists with life skills education are better positioned to report on abuse, violence, and gender related injustices within communities.

“These life skills are crucial for helping individuals in society become more self-aware and to offer constructive guidance that promotes a healthier community,” Longo said.

She further explained that the training would contribute to a generational shift, empowering journalists to uncover and report issues that are often hidden or normalized in society.

“In addition, with this knowledge, journalists can serve as educators in their communities by shedding light on various events and issues as they occur,” she added.

Ms Longo also advised journalists to ensure that when reporting on gender-related matters, they do not portray one gender as inferior or overlook the needs of the other, thereby ensuring balanced and inclusive coverage.

On her part, Suzana Cleophas, Program Officer at the Flaviana Matata Foundation (FMF), stated that the core goal of the initiative is to empower journalists with the necessary skills to deliver accurate information that does not mislead the public.

“This training is meant to amplify the message. The project, which started last year, initially focused on students before expanding to media professionals. We've also involved community health workers as part of the Afya Yangu, Haki Yangu project,” she said.

She added that the involvement of journalists is part of the project's broader strategy to reach all relevant stakeholders including students, media outlets, and community health workers to ensure widespread education and awareness.

The training concluded with a call to action for media professionals to use their platforms responsibly by amplifying voices of survivors, challenging harmful gender norms, and fostering a culture of accountability.

Organizers expressed hope that continued collaboration with journalists, students, and community health workers will pave the way for a more informed, empowered, and gender-sensitive society.