Mama FM
Journalists trained on ethical reporting ahead of 16 Days of activism against GBV
21 November 2025, 3:16 pm
Mosh Ddamba
On Monday, 24th Nov. 2025, the umbrella of women movement under domestic act coalition under Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention (CEDOVIP), in partnership with International Justice Mission (IJM), will start off the 16 days of Activism, an annual event reminder on human rights globally.
CEDOVIP has today conducted a one-day training for parliamentary journalists aimed at strengthening ethical and effective reporting on GBV.
The training, held at the Bahá’í faith in Kampala, focused on equipping journalists with practical tools, knowledge, and ethical guidelines necessary for covering sensitive GBV cases. This year’s global theme is “Reimagining Feminist Futures.”
Joseph Kariuki, IJM’s Regional Senior Lead for Public Engagement, urged journalists to be mindful of the language they use when reporting on GBV. He cautioned against sensational, victim-blaming, or judgmental expressions.
“Many times, journalists ask questions like ‘What were you doing at that time?’ or ‘Why were you wearing that short skirt?’ which makes the reporting sound judgmental,” Kariuki said. He also emphasized the importance of emotional wellbeing, noting that reporters covering GBV stories are often affected by vicarious trauma. He encouraged journalists to seek mental health support and practice self-care to avoid emotional fatigue and numbness.
Penny Susan Iganga, a lawyer and technology specialist, stressed the importance of obtaining consent at all stages of reporting on GBV cases. She noted that proper consent offers legal protection should a survivor later change their mind about the publication of their story.
Iganga further highlighted the growing challenge of technology-facilitated GBV, particularly cyber harassment targeting women. She advised participants on digital safety practices, secure communication tools, and strategies for protecting sensitive information from hackers.
Participants welcomed the training, saying such initiatives help sharpen their reporting skills and keep them updated in an evolving media landscape.
Caroline Natukunda, IJM’s Coordinator for Communication and Media, reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting survivors of gender-based violence. She noted that IJM operates in more than 20 countries and continues to work closely with Ugandan communities. Findings from IJM’s survey in Uganda show high prevalence levels: 55% of women experience physical or sexual violence, 47% face physical violence alone, 33% encounter sexual violence in their lifetime, and 58.6% of children experience sexual abuse with 77% of the affected being girls under the age of 15