The Forum for African Women Educationalists Zimbabwe (Fawezi), in partnership with ActionAid Zimbabwe , Family Aids Caring Trust (Fact) and Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe, earlier this month hosted a training workshop for journalists from different media houses on gender-based violence (GBV)-sensitive reporting under their Towards Resilient Communities with Health, Equity and Safety for All (TORCHES) project.
The workshop, held at Rainbow Towers in Harare aimed to enhance journalists' understanding of GBV and promote ethical reporting practices. Media practitioners were educated on responsible reporting practices, especially when gathering information from survivors of GBV, who are often traumatised and vulnerable to further victimisation or public humiliation if not handled with care.
In attendance were Fawezi officials, including the executive director Lydia Madyirapanze, project officers Rujeko Chibaya and Nqobile Nkiwane, as well as editors, journalists and representatives from government ministries and organisations.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Madyirapanze said that the workshop is part of a bigger project they are implementing as a consortium.
“We are trying to engage media houses around the importance of reporting in a way that protects survivors and is dignified and accurate. We know the media plays a critical role in shaping community perceptions and communicating messages,” she added.
The programme covered understanding GBV, legal and ethical frameworks, disability inclusion and other topics such as the invasion of privacy through technology-assisted GBV, including doxxing, cyberstalking, sextortion and other forms of abuse used on the internet. It highlighted how framing and click baiting in sensitive reporting can perpetuate victimisation and emphasised the need to avoid sensationalized headlines.
Loughty Dube, the executive director of the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe, shared a step-by-step guide on recommended methods during his presentation on ethical reporting practices on GBV and trauma-informed reporting.
Dube acknowledged the emotional toll on the mental health of journalists stemming from prolonged exposure to traumatic environments and underscored the necessity for counselling and self-care for journalists who experience secondary trauma when reporting on distressing stories.
The focus on addressing child abuse and the critical role men can play in making a difference inspired spirited discussions as Buhlebenkosi Tshabangu-Moyo from the Media Institute of Southern Africa, Zimbabwe, led an insightful session that explored the cultural nuances perpetuated by patriarchal societies and their impact on women and girls. Her topics on changing harmful narratives, confidentiality and safety considerations sparked lively discussions among participants.
Men's growing involvement in the conversation around GBV is a promising step towards creating inclusivity.
According to Betty Sithole-Zanza, the TORCHES project manager, there was an increase in male engagement, with a 24% attendance by men during the first phase of their TUSEME programming, rising to 30% in the second phase.
TUSEME, derived from the Kiswahili term for "let's speak out," is a methodology designed to empower young individuals, enabling them to voice their opinions and concerns confidently.
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