Mama FM
  Stream radio
Menu
Mama FM
  2. Equality
  3. UMWA training transforms Pearl FM journalist’s view on GBV

UMWA training transforms Pearl FM journalist’s view on GBV

7 September 2024, 12:06 pm

Byamukama Alozious

The Uganda Women Media Association (UMWA), supported by the Austrian Development Cooperation, recently conducted an extensive training programme for journalists, survivors of domestic violence, healthcare professionals, and civil society organisations (CSOs).

This initiative aimed to tackle the pressing issue of gender-based violence (GBV) in Uganda, with a particular focus on Kawempe division, where 14% of GBV cases are reported, and central Uganda, where 32% of women aged 10-59 experience violence, according to recent statistics from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.

Ali Ssewanyana, a journalist from Pearl FM, shared how the training has profoundly influenced his perspective on gender-based violence (GBV). Initially, Ssewanyana admitted that he rarely took GBV seriously, as it did not directly affect his own family. He often covered such stories merely because they were assigned by his editor, without much personal engagement or understanding.

Alli Ssewanyana.

“Before this training, I didn’t give much thought to gender-based violence (GBV) because it wasn’t something that affected me personally,” Ssewanyana reflected. “I would report on these stories as part of my job, but now I understand the issue on a much deeper level.” The training has changed his perspective, making him more aware of the human impact of GBV and the suffering it causes in people’s lives.

Ssewanyana’s voice, Luganda.

The training has also made him recognise the importance of approaching gender-based violence (GBV) stories with empathy and responsibility. “This realisation has deeply affected me as a person. It’s no longer just a story—it’s about real people who are suffering and in need of help. I’ve learned how vital it is to report on GBV with sensitivity and understanding,” he said.

Ssewanyana’s new perspective underscores the significant impact of UMWA’s training programmes. By improving journalists’ understanding and response to gender-based violence (GBV), the initiative has not only enhanced reporting skills but also fostered a deeper commitment to addressing these issues with compassion.