AWiM launches project on reporting violence against women, girls

The African Women in Media (AWiM) has inaugurated its three-year project on reporting Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWGs).

AWiM is a network for African women working in media industries globally, aimed at positively impacting the way media functions in relation to women.

Information about the inauguration is in a statement issued by the group’s Community Engagement Spokesperson, Mrs Joy Adigwe in Abuja earlier in the week.

Adigwe quoted the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AWiM, Dr Yemisi Akinbobola, as saying “the project is aimed at recognising VAWGs, ranging from sexual violence to domestic violence.”

Akinbobola listed other areas of focus as violence against women induced by insecurity and violence against women journalists.

She added that AWiM sought to intervene in the current state of reporting stories of violence against women and girls with focus on Borno, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo and Plateau states.

According to her, the project would build the capacity of 75 women journalists across the five states, develop a gender policy framework and media toolkit for newsrooms, as well as commission investigative stories.

She urged female journalists to apply via https://bit.ly/VAWGTraining2022 and learn more about reporting violence against women and girls through https://bit.ly/vawgs2022.

She stated that “violence against women and girls continues to be a big social issue globally; through this intervention with media and journalists, we contribute our part to creating enabling environment for improved media reporting on this issue in Nigeria.

“The cohort of trained journalists will form a community of practice for ethical and gender-conscious reporting on VAWGs.

“They will have the opportunity to pitch and produce a long-form investigative story.”

She, therefore, called on female journalists living or working in Borno, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo and Plateau states to apply to be selected as one of the 75 trainees for the project.