IRISE Calls for Responsible Media Reporting on SRHR, GBV

On 14 September 2026, the Initiative to Resist Institutional Slavery and Exploitation (IRISE), in collaboration with One Billion Rising, held a media roundtable at Perfecto La Villa Hotel in Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos. The event aimed to encourage media professionals to strengthen responsible, evidence-based, and stigma-free reporting of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Omodele Ibitiye Ejeh, Executive Director of IRISE and Country Coordinator of One Billion Rising Nigeria, emphasized the media's significant influence in shaping public opinion and urged journalists to support their reports with credible data. The roundtable reviewed the impact of a previous training conducted in February 2026, which assessed media coverage of SRHR and GBV issues.

Ejeh noted improvements but highlighted ongoing challenges, particularly the inappropriate use of visuals in reports, citing a specific example where a stigmatising photograph contradicted accurate written content about contraceptives.