UN Women and UNFP challenge journalists for reporting on sexual exploitation

By Peter Magawa

Mzuzu, September 5, Mana: Beatrice Kumwenda, UNFP specialist on gender and gender-based violence, said on Thursday that the media has a responsibility to advocate for policy changes where there are gaps in the protection of survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) during and after disasters.

Kumwenda was speaking in Mzuzu at a training jointly organised by UN Women and the United Nations Population Fund for journalists from the Northern Region under the Nyika Media Club on best practices for reporting SEA during disasters.

She said that there is a gap in the way journalists conduct and report on disasters, which is why it is important for journalists to learn the basics of SEA reporting.

“Malawi has been hit by several disasters that have left women and girls more vulnerable to abuse than other countries, due to increased inequalities exacerbated by such situations.

“It is at this time that the media plays a crucial role, not only in reporting on the general challenges faced by survivors, but also in identifying the inequalities and alerting the public to the gaps that need to be addressed to reduce such vices,” Kumwenda said.

Towera Katswiri, Deputy Secretary General of the Association for Women in Media (AWOME), stressed the importance of responsible journalism, especially when reporting on issues in the SEA.

“We need to write stories that can change lives and help address issues like rape, assault and sexual exploitation.

“We must go beyond just informing, but also producing reports that inspire others to take action against norms and practices that contribute to the victimization of women and girls,” Katswiri said.

Katswiri then praised UNFP and UN Women for the training, saying that the media plays an important role during and after disasters but lacks the knowledge to report better.

The training session is part of UN Women’s broader efforts to combat social exclusion and promote a culture of accountability and respect for human rights.