SID Initiatives, a not-for profit organization, has trained female journalists across various media platforms on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) reporting.
The two-day training which held in Lagos was targeted at young female journalists between the ages of 18 to 35.
In her welcome remarks, Elizabeth Williams, the Executive Director of SID Initiatives explained that the participants have been carefully selected to be a part of the training as it resonates with their work, adding that the training would help to amplify their work.
She assured that the training has been designed to meet with the needs of journalists on different component of SRHR and how they can easily use the media to make positive change.
Earlier, Gloria Williams, Programs Officer at SID Initiatives, explained that the objectives of the training include “to build the capacity of women working in media to engage in media advocacy on SRHR; to encourage media influences to leverage their platforms positively in disseminating SRHR information.
“To enhance participants’ skills in ethical reporting and communication on SRHR issues; and to promote a nuanced and balanced portrayal of SRHR issues in media content.”
Suru Emmanuel, one of the facilitators who spoke on ‘strategies for promoting intersectionality and diversity’ charged the participants to always “center marginalized voices, challenge stereotypes, collaborate with others, open to training and sensitisation, and to promote inclusive language.”
He also noted that journalists should understand that it is their sole responsibility to be objective, learn, unlearn and relearn strategies to unearthing new dimensions to intersection SRHR reporting.
Dr. Odunola Olabintan, also led a session on ‘Effective media strategies in SRHR advocacy’.
