08/05/2026
🎙️ VOICES RAISED, VOICES HEARD: HOW THE MEDIA CAN HELP GBV SURVIVORS SPEAK OUT AND SEEK HELP
Our Executive Director, Miriam Menkiti, was live on Dream FM yesterday to discuss a topic that sits at the heart of our work — "How the Media Can Help Survivors Speak Out and Seek Help."
Here is a summary of the key conversations from that programme:
📻 WHY THIS CONVERSATION MATTERS
Many survivors of gender-based violence want to speak out. Many actually do. But a significant number still choose silence — and the media plays a huge role in either encouraging or discouraging that decision.
When reporting is done with Comments like "she wore a short dress"— they actively discourage survivors from coming forward. Fear, shame, and family pressure already make it hard to speak out. Harmful reporting could make it even harder.
📌 KEY PRINCIPLES OF ETHICAL GBV REPORTING
For the media to truly serve survivors, reporting must be grounded in:
✅ Ethics and human rights — always at the centre of every story
✅Do no harm — ensure reporting does not cause further pain or stigma to the survivor
✅ Consent — always confirm the survivors want to share their story and make it clear to them what will be published
✅ Confidentiality — everything depends on the survivor. They can give voluntary consent for their name to be used, but consent must always be sought first.
✅ Responsible language — blame the perpetrator, never the survivor.
✅ Humanise the reporting — survivors are human beings, not just news stories.
📌 WHAT MAKES SURVIVORS FEEL SAFE TO SHARE?
Survivors are more willing to speak when they are confident that:
🔹 Their story will be written accurately and with care.
🔹 They will not be blamed — the perpetrator will be blamed
🔹 The media outlet applies the **"do no harm"** principle.
🔹 Responsible, dignified language will be used throughout.
📌 THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA — A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD
Social media has helped many survivors find their voice and connect with support. But it is also the same platform through which technology-facilitated GBV (TFGBV) happens. The same tool that amplifies voices can also be used as a weapon. This is why responsible use and ethical reporting matter on every platform.
📌 WHO ELSE HAS A ROLE TO PLAY?
GBV reporting and response is not the media's responsibility alone:
🎙️ Women journalists — can shift the narrative from victim blaming to promoting dignity, integrity, and justice.
👨 Men — must choose education, respect women, and give women the space to speak up
⛪ Churches and communities — can hold townhall meetings to educate people about GBV.
📲 Content creators — must be responsible about what they create.
📌 Awareness
Awareness is the foundation of change, and the media is one of our most powerful tools for building it.
📌 WARNING SIGNS — FOR FRIENDS & FAMILY:
If you suspect someone close to you is experiencing GBV:
⚠️ Watch for sudden changes in behaviour.
⚠️ If the violence is online, encourage them to document all evidence
⚠️ Remind them not to share too much personal information online.
And to media professionals — always focus on solutions: what more can be done, and what reforms are urgently needed?
Survivors deserve to be heard — not silenced by the very platforms meant to amplify their voices. At WINET, we will keep pushing for a media culture that protects, uplifts, and empowers women and girls. 💜
📲 Share this post to keep the conversation going.
💬 What do you think the media can do better in reporting GBV stories?
Thanks to WABMA & Deam FM for providing the platform for this conversation.
