Conflict-related SGBV: Media urged to uphold survivors’ dignity and safety in reporting

By Chigozie Uzosike, Owerri…

Media practitioners have been urged to uphold the dignity, safety, and well-being of survivors of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Imo and Benue States through ethical and responsible reporting.

Speaking during a two-day media training workshop on “Conflict-Related Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Prevention through Journalism” held in Enugu State, and organized by the Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC) Nigeria in collaboration with the Community and Youth Development Initiative (CYDI) and the Justice and Rights Initiative (JRI) with support from Ford Foundation, the facilitator, Mr. Benjamin Mbakwem, in his presentation said that United Nations described SGBV as a human rights violation. He emphasized that journalists must expose such abuses responsibly, demand accountability, and protect survivors’ dignity in their reports.

Mbakwem highlighted the media’s critical role in raising awareness, promoting human rights, supporting survivors, challenging harmful norms, and advancing peacebuilding. He urged journalists to promote survivors’ dignity through ethical storytelling, amplify voices that foster prevention, and strengthen accountability efforts in their communities.

He further cautioned journalists to avoid language that could retraumatize survivors or expose them to harm, and to ensure their reports are accurate, fact-checked, and free from misinformation.

Earlier, the Project Manager of CIRDDOC, Mr. Pascal Anozie, explained that the decision to train the media was informed by the need to promote professionalism and ethical standards in reporting while strengthening the campaign against all forms of SGBV in society. He encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained in their daily work to advance justice and survivor-centered reporting.

In his remarks, the Executive Director of CYDI, Mr. Fexlfame Enisire, noted that beyond the insecurity and displacement affecting communities in Imo and Benue States, many are also living with the often-overlooked consequences of conflict-related SGBV — a human rights concern requiring urgent attention and preventive action.

He added that through collaborative efforts, journalists can play a powerful role in breaking the silence, shaping public understanding, and promoting peace and accountability.

Enisire explained that the partnership between CIRDDOC, CYDI, and JRI brought together journalists from Benue and Imo States to deepen their understanding of conflict-related SGBV, enhance their reporting skills, and use journalism as a tool for peacebuilding and advocacy. The organizations 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, with support from the Ford Foundation.

According to the Senior Programme Officer of CIRDDOC Nigeria, Mazi Jerry Udochu, while many organizations have traditionally focused on response, this initiative prioritizes prevention. He said the training aims to equip journalists with knowledge and advocacy tools to promote SGBV prevention and community sensitization.