Localise SASA! stories, journalists told

Fungai Lupande

Mashonaland Central Bureau

JOURNALISTS have been urged to play a greater role in preventing gender-based violence and HIV through ethical and survivor-centred reporting.

Speaking at a media sensitisation workshop organised by the Zimbabwe Association of Church-related Hospitals under the SASA! programme, ZACH’s technical advisor, communications, public engagement and social mobilisation officer Shamiso Yikoniko said the media has a unique responsibility to shape positive social norms and contribute to violence prevention efforts.

She said journalists should use language that empowers survivors, emphasising that those affected by violence should be referred to as survivors rather than victims.

She also called on media practitioners to respect the dignity and confidentiality of survivors by obtaining informed consent and avoiding the publication of names, photographs, addresses, school names and other identifying information, particularly in cases involving children.

Ms Yikoniko noted that violence is preventable and communities have an important role to play in addressing its root causes.

She said responsible reporting can promote healing, justice and greater awareness on gender-based violence and HIV.

She explained that the SASA! approach focuses on how power is used within communities and seeks to encourage reflection and transformation in relationships and social structures that perpetuate violence.

The workshop also highlighted the importance of collaboration between communities, service providers and journalists in creating safer and healthier societies.

The SASA! programme primarily targets adolescent girls and young women aged between 15 and 24 years, with interventions aimed at reducing vulnerability to violence and HIV infection.

Participants drawn from community media organisations and radio stations from various districts pledged to support efforts to localise the HIV response and strengthen awareness of gender-based violence prevention and response services in their communities.