United Nations Funds and Population Authorities (UNFPA) has expressed concern at the continued stereotypical reporting on issues of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) by some journalists, saying it has the potential to do more harm than good.

The sentiments were made at the end of a three-day media training on Gender Based Violence (GBV) reporting from a humanitarian context in Mzuzu involving members of Nyika Media Club and Association for Women in Media (AWOME).

UNFPA Gender and GBV specialist Beatrice Kumwenda emphasized the need to promote referral pathways where various stakeholders can coordinate in addressing issues of GBV. 

Kumwenda said, “Help us to make sure that survivors are protected in terms of their rights. If we collaborate with the media, indeed, issues of strengthening the referral pathways, terminologies or doing away with the stereotype, survival centered approach are really key in terms of the survivor.”

Kumwenda also stressed on the importance for journalists participating in promoting the safety and well-being of survivors. 

Kumwenda pointed out that the use of stereotypes and the romanticization of violence often causes more harm than good.

“In terms of reporting so that they can be ethical in their reporting, they can be reporting with very good information that has been confirmed. And when they do that, they will help us raise awareness in terms of the challenges in which girls and women face. Help us in advocacy with policy makers to say that we really need to support women and girls because of their vulnerability,” said Kumwenda.

One of the members of AWOME, Alepher Kasongo, said the training will significantly contribute to ensuring that journalists adhere to ethical standards when writing to promote the well-being of survivors of GBV.

Kasongo said, “The training has been an eye-opener and also it has empowered us, as journalists, to have the right information so that we can disseminate to the public and whenever we are reporting on humanitarian issues is well-informed.”

The training organized by UN Women and UNFPA focused on ethical reporting, data and evidence-based reporting and sexual exploitation and abuse, among others.