Nairobi: Journalists in Busia County have been trained on gender equality, gender-based violence (GBV), and child protection, with a focus on strengthening responsible reporting and advocacy for the rights of women and children. The training aimed to enhance journalists’ understanding of the intersection between GBV and violations of children’s rights.
According to Kenya News Agency, the two-day training emphasized the media’s role in creating awareness, challenging harmful social norms, and promoting lasting change through accurate and responsible reporting. Victor Rotich from the Free Pentecostal Fellowship of Kenya’s Linda Mtoto Project highlighted the training’s focus on equipping journalists to report cases of child rights violations and GBV in a manner that informs the public and contributes to positive societal change.
“We have sensitized 24 journalists from different media houses and platforms on how they can help the community understand the importance of protecting children’s rights and addressing gender-based violence. We have also trained them on how to report these cases in line with existing laws and regulations. This will help shape public perceptions and create change in society,” Rotich stated.
Rotich also discussed the safety concerns journalists face when covering sensitive stories involving GBV and child rights violations. He noted that discussions during the training included ways for journalists to safely cover and report such cases without compromising their security.
Meshack Obala from the FPFK Malaba Gender Advocacy Project emphasized the long-term effects of violations of children’s rights on their wellbeing and development. He stressed the necessity of reducing such violence to prevent children from dealing with lifelong trauma.
Obala added that equipping journalists with knowledge on child protection and GBV would bolster community awareness due to the media’s extensive reach. “The media does not have boundaries, and this enables journalists to reach different parts of the community. Equipping them with the right knowledge will play a critical role in ensuring that communities receive accurate information that can lead to positive change,” he explained.
Petronilla Ogalo, a journalist in Busia, shared that the training had enhanced their understanding of children’s rights and GBV, which would be instrumental in covering cases of abuse and rights violations. She highlighted the importance of presenting stories that advocate for affected individuals’ rights and support access.
Patrick Okumu, another journalist, remarked on the training’s timeliness, given Busia County’s issues with child rights violations and GBV. The training provided journalists with procedures for reporting and referring cases for appropriate assistance and guidance on impactful story packaging with expert support.
