FEMALE JOURNALISTS IN EDO PARTICIPATE IN TWO-DAY WORKSHOP ON WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY IN BENIN CITY

No fewer than 25 female journalists and media practitioners from across Edo State participated in a two-day intensive training workshop focused on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Youth, Peace and Security (YPS), and conflict-sensitive reporting. The workshop was organized by West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP)-Nigeria in partnership with Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) and support from Global Affairs Canada whose commitment is to advancing the women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda.

The workshop, held in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, brought together media professionals, gender advocates, communication experts, and peacebuilding stakeholders to strengthen the capacity of journalists in ethical, gender-sensitive, and conflict-sensitive reporting.

The training aimed at deepening participants’ understanding of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, as well as the Youth, Peace and Security framework, while equipping journalists with practical skills to promote peacebuilding, prevent misinformation, and improve reporting on gender-based violence (GBV).

 

Speaking during the opening session, the National Coordinator of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) Nigeria, Dr. Bridget Osakwe, emphasized the strategic role of the media in shaping public narratives, promoting peace, and amplifying the voices of women and youths in governance and conflict prevention processes.

Representing Her Excellency, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, the Coordinator of the Office of the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Amen Ajayi, stressed the importance of conflict-sensitive reporting, saying, “The stories told, the language used, and the information shared can either build peace or increase tension.” She commended the organizers and reaffirmed the commitment of the Office of the Edo State First Lady to promoting peace, inclusion, and opportunities for women and youths to contribute to society.

In her goodwill message, Hon. Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, represented by Mrs. Daizy Osunde, commended media practitioners for shaping public opinion and promoting social cohesion. She appreciated the organizers and stressed the importance of conflict-sensitive reporting, urging the responsible use of media platforms to promote peace and unity.

Participants at the workshop, including some male journalists were taken through sessions on the Women, Peace and Security framework and Youth, Peace and Security.

The facilitator, Adesuwa Osa-Uwagie Esq., introduced participants to the frameworks of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security. The discussions highlighted the relevance of the frameworks to media reporting and explored various story angles that journalists can pursue in promoting peace and inclusion.

Another major focus of the workshop was the role of media practitioners in implementing the WPS agenda in Nigeria. The facilitator urged journalists to go beyond conventional conflict reporting by adopting approaches that promote dialogue, inclusion, accountability, and sustainable peace.

During the session on ethical reporting of Gender-Based Violence, participants were trained on survivour-centred approaches, confidentiality, trauma-informed interviewing, and professional standards in reporting sensitive issues. The session also stressed the dangers of sensationalism and stigmatization in media coverage of GBV cases.

A plenary discussion on the challenges and opportunities in gender- and conflict-sensitive reporting in Edo State provided participants with the opportunity to share field experiences, newsroom realities, and practical barriers affecting responsible journalism.

The workshop also focused on media misinformation, digital responsibility, and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV). Experts warned against the increasing misuse of digital platforms to harass women and spread false information capable of escalating tensions within communities.

Participants also engaged in practical sessions on story framing and narrative building, where they learned how to transition from conflict-focused journalism to peace and solutions journalism. Through simulation exercises, journalists practiced real-life reporting scenarios involving GBV- and WPS-related issues. There was the pitch session, where participants developed and presented story ideas integrating WPS, YPS, and peacebuilding perspectives for publication across print, broadcast, and digital platforms.

One of the highlights of the workshop was the fellowship induction ceremony and a strategic session on developing media and communication strategies to support the effective implementation of the WPS agenda in Nigeria. The first task given to members of the fellowship was to facilitate the signing of the State Action Plan (SAP) on United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 (2026–2030). They were reminded that the State Action Plan (SAP) was developed in line with the SHINE Agenda of the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

At the close of the workshop, participants made commitments to increase media content focused on Women, Peace and Security, Gender-Based Violence prevention, youth inclusion, and peacebuilding initiatives within their respective media organizations.

In closing remark, the Program officer: Gender Women Peace & Security Officer WANEP-Nigeria, Ms. Mary Nkifan Owor-Agbor, expressed optimism that the training would contribute significantly to strengthening responsible journalism and enhancing the visibility of women and youths as critical actors in peacebuilding and conflict prevention across Edo State and Nigeria at large.