Journalists, influencers urged to lead campaign against GBV in Osun

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

Media practitioners and influencers in Osun State have been urged to take the lead in the campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) by using their platforms to amplify advocacy, promote justice for survivors, and challenge harmful stereotypes that fuel abuse.

The charge was made at a one-day capacity-building programme titled “Influencing the Influencers to End Gender-Based Violence in Osun State,” organized by Milestone Agenda for Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative in partnership with the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF).

Speaking at the event, Deputy Editor (Politics) of The Sun Newspaper, Mr. Ismail Omipidan, explained that the training was designed to expose participants to strategies on how to amplify stories and activities relating to GBV in order to contribute meaningfully to efforts aimed at ending the scourge in Osun State.

Omipidan emphasized that every story on GBV must be fact-based, verified, and told from a human-angle perspective to strengthen advocacy. He advised journalists to always obtain consent from survivors before revealing their identities or using their photographs in reports.

He also appealed to survivors of GBV to speak out and share their experiences, noting that silence could negatively impact their mental health and overall well-being. According to him, breaking the silence would help survivors get justice and prevent the recurrence of such acts in their communities.

Omipidan further urged government and civil society organizations to provide greater support for survivors and ensure that perpetrators face the full weight of the law. He also appealed to editors and programme directors to give more space and airtime to issues related to GBV, describing the campaign as part of the media’s social responsibility.

Also speaking, the State Coordinator, Inter-African Committee on the Eradication of Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting Women and Children, Mrs. Aduke Obelawo, called for a cultural shift and equal opportunities for both genders.

Obelawo said society must eliminate stereotypes and cultural biases that limit the girl child, stressing the need to provide a level playing field for both boys and girls.