The media can play a critical role in ending gender-based violence (GBV) through responsible reporting that demands accountability. However, one weak point is training.
This is according to Kenyan editor Mary Mwendwa.
“GBV does not get a lot of serious analytical coverage in the media and that's because journalists aren't well trained to cover these issues,” the Talk Africa editor said.
“Journalists will just report that 'a child has been defiled or raped' and that’s it as a news item. But GBV goes beyond that, there are survivors and those undergoing counselling. There's a lot about GBV and the media misses that because they aren't capacitated, ” she added.
Insensitive and unethical media reporting of GBV has direct ramifications on how society understands the phenomenon and pursues action and accountability against perpetrators.
A recent report from UN Women which is based on data collected since the beginning of the pandemic shows that 2 out of 3 women reported that they or a woman they know experienced some form of violence. Only 1 in 10 women said that victims would go to the police for help.
“While pervasive, gender-based violence is not inevitable. It can and must be prevented. Stopping this violence starts with believing survivors, adopting comprehensive and inclusive approaches that tackle the root causes, transform harmful social norms, and empower women and girls,” the report states.
Journalism has a role
Commemorations such as 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence are regarded as a time to learn, reflect, and take action to end violence against women and children. But Mwendwa believes GBV is a reality all year round and the media can be part of the solution by amplifying GBV more consistently.
“GBV happens every day and every few seconds, there needs to be continuous reporting throughout the year by reporters such that by the time 16 Days comes around there's a pool of stories for people to draw lessons from,” she said.
According to a study published by the University of Nairobi, 84.8% of rape victims do not report the cases to the police. Over half of those who report only do so because friends, family, and activists convince them to take further action.
In East Africa, a United Nations Women (Africa) study reported a sharp increase in the number of GBV cases and in some cases rising by up to 48%.
Additionally, the GBV Command Centre in South Africa recorded a spike in GBV cases reported during the lockdown between March to mid- April totalling 12 779.
Nigeria recorded a 56% spike in GBV cases during the first two weeks of April compared with the same period in March, after lockdown measures were enacted on 31 March.
The numbers highlight the severity of GBV in Africa and paint a worsening picture for African women with little to no convictions for perpetrators.
“You find in many rural and informal settlements some do not understand what to do when someone has been defiled or raped, some hide and some negotiate with perpetrators in kangaroo court, journalists have a role here to help people learn what to do when this happens,” said Mwendwa.
According to the Reporting sexual violence report, media reporters can add context to individual incidents by referring to the whole spectrum of sexual violence, reporting data on the prevalence of sexual violence and related issues in that region, counteracting myths and outdated attitudes and also contacting experts to educate the readers or viewers.
Mwendwa believes journalists need to produce more detailed analytical pieces on GBV incidences that highlight challenges, systemic and information gaps that contribute to the scourge.
“The cases are reported but they are reactive stories like ‘ a child has been defiled here’ and that's all whereas GBV is wide like what happens during a GBV case,” she said.
“There are so many issues and they need constant reporting so that people understand where we are and with policy as well and the gaps,” she added.
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