Journalists in Busia County have been trained on gender equality, gender-based violence (GBV), and child protection, with a focus on strengthening responsible reporting and advocacy for the rights of women and children.
The two-day training sought to deepen journalists’ understanding of the link between GBV and violations of children’s rights.
It also emphasized the role of the media in creating awareness, challenging harmful social norms, and promoting lasting change through accurate and responsible reporting.
Speaking after the training, Victor Rotich from Free Pentecostal Fellowship of Kenya’s Linda Mtoto Project, said the training focused on helping journalists report cases of child rights violations and GBV in ways that inform the public and contribute to positive change.
“We have sensitized 24 journalists from different media houses and platforms on how they can help the community understand the importance of protecting children’s rights and addressing gender-based violence. We have also trained them on how to report these cases in line with existing laws and regulations. This will help shape public perceptions and create change in society,” he said.
Rotich also raised concerns about the safety of journalists covering sensitive stories involving GBV and child rights violations.
“One issue that came out clearly is that journalists’ security is often at risk when covering these stories. We discussed ways they can safely cover and report such cases without putting their security at risk,” he said.
Meshack Obala from FPFK Malaba Gender Advocacy Project, said violations of children’s rights have long-term effects on their wellbeing and development.
“Gender-Based Violence has a direct effect on children, while violations of children’s rights can affect their education, wellbeing, confidence and ability to contribute to society. This makes it necessary to work harder to reduce such violence. Failure to address these issues can leave children dealing with trauma throughout their lives,” he said.
Obala said equipping journalists with knowledge on child protection and GBV would strengthen community awareness because of the media’s wide reach.
“The media does not have boundaries, and this enables journalists to reach different parts of the community. Equipping them with the right knowledge will play a critical role in ensuring that communities receive accurate information that can lead to positive change,” he said.
Petronilla Ogalo, a journalist in Busia, said the training had improved their understanding of children’s rights and GBV and would help them apply the knowledge when covering cases of abuse and rights violations.
“We have been trained on how to present our stories in a way that advocates for the rights of those affected and helps them access support. We have also learned how to challenge cultural stereotypes and myths that have contributed to the suffering of women and children,” she said.
Ogalo added that journalists had a responsibility to promote the rights of women, men and children and contribute to building a peaceful and equal society.
Patrick Okumu, another journalist, said the training was timely because Busia County, as a border county, continues to face cases involving child rights violations and GBV.
“We have been informed about the procedures for reporting and referring cases of child rights violations and GBV for appropriate assistance. We have also learned how to package our stories, with the support of experts, to ensure they have a meaningful impact on the community,” he said.
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
