NAPTIP Launches Media Corps to Combat Gender Violence

A report reveals that 21% of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have suffered physical or sexual violence, prompting urgent calls for increased media focus on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), launched a Media Corps in Abuja to improve journalism related to SGBV.

This initiative is part of the EU-supported End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Programme, providing journalists with specialized training to report on SGBV cases effectively and sensitively. The Media Corps aims to shift coverage from isolated incidents to a broader investigation of patterns and institutional responses.

Stakeholders emphasized the media's crucial role in exposing hidden abuses and supporting survivors, as fear and stigma often prevent victims from reporting. The initiative also seeks to enhance collaboration among journalists, government agencies, and civil society organizations in addressing SGBV.