UNICEF tasks journalists on domestic violence

Determined to address the issue of domestic violence in Nigeria, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has enlisted media practitioners from Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba and Gombe states to fashion out solutions to the challenge.

To this end, the UN agency has opened a two-day workshop in Bauchi in collaboration with the state’s television station (BATV) to train the journalists on ethical reportage of issues relating to violence against women and children.

In his presentation, the Communications Officer for UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Samuel Kalu, admonished the reporters to utilise available platforms to educate the public and draw the attention of stakeholders and policy makers to acts that are inimical to the well-being of children.

As opinion molders, work towards raising, creating awareness, educating and changing the attitudes of the skeptical public on unhealthy practices regarding women and children issues,” he counselled.

Kalu stressed the need for members of the fourth estate of the realm to “write and broadcast accurate information on child survival, development, protection issues from informed perspectives for trust by the public.”

He also pleaded with the participants to work with other “experts, partners and stakeholders to enlighten the society on child survival. Kalu said six out of 10 children are violated daily, calling on states yet to domesticate the Child Right Act to do so.

The Head of Research and Documentation, Shira Mohammed, urged the participants to serve as the voice to the vulnerable as “we cannot separate the child from the mother.” The media practitioners promised to seriously treat issues relating to children and the women, especially infringement on their rights.