IRISE Calls for Evidence Based, Stigma Free Reporting of SRHR, GBV

 

The Initiative to Resist Institutional Slavery and Exploitation (IRISE), in collaboration with One Billion Rising, has urged journalists and media organisations to adopt more evidence based, accurate and stigma free approaches to reporting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Gender Based Violence (GBV), warning that poorly informed narratives and inappropriate visuals can reinforce misinformation and harmful social attitudes.

The call was made during a two-day media roundtable held at Perfecto La Villa Hotel, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, which served as a refresher to an earlier evidence-based media reporting training organised in February 2026.

 

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of IRISE and Country Coordinator of One Billion Rising Nigeria, Omodele Ibitiye Ejeh, emphasised the influential role of the media in shaping public opinion, attitudes and social norms.

According to her, journalists have a responsibility to ensure that the information they disseminate is supported by credible data and presented in ways that do not reinforce stigma or misinformation.

“We at IRISE understand the important role that media plays in shaping society. We understand the importance of training media and partnering with media personnel to look at how data for reporting is sourced and how evidence is being gotten to shape the reporting that is put out there.

“For us, we believe that the media are like prophets; they shape the narrative of ordinary people,” Ejeh stated.

The roundtable was organised to assess progress made since the February training and examine some of the challenges that continue to affect media coverage of SRHR and GBV issues.

Ejeh disclosed that IRISE conducted baseline research before the initial training to examine how major media organisations reported issues relating to sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence.

The assessment focused on three major areas: the tone of reports, the sources of information used, and the presence of stigma in reporting.

While the organisation observed improvements in some areas following the training, it also identified persistent challenges that require greater attention.

One of the concerns highlighted was the inappropriate or contradictory use of visuals in news reports.

Ejeh cited an example involving a report on contraceptives, noting that although the written content was accurate, the accompanying photograph conveyed a completely different and potentially misleading message.

“There was this reporting on contraceptives, not even abortion. The writings were accurate, but the picture was stigmatising,” she explained.

According to her, the report was accompanied by an image of a heavily pregnant woman with the foetus visible in the womb.

She explained that such an image could create confusion among readers because it does not accurately correspond with a story explaining the use of contraceptives to prevent unintended pregnancies.

“You are telling women to use contraceptives to prevent unintended pregnancies, but you have a heavily pregnant person in the picture. Ordinarily, a layman could look at it and say, ‘Are you telling me to take these drugs to abort this pregnancy?’ It sends a very, very negative message.”

The organisation also raised concerns about unconscious bias in journalism, particularly when reporters allow personal beliefs or moral perspectives to influence how sensitive issues are presented.

Ejeh noted that journalists may sometimes write from the perspective of their personal understanding or values without fully considering the possible impact of their words and images on the audience.

“Sometimes, most times when we write, it’s just the way we are thinking. We put the way we are best thinking into our writings and it reflects our morals,” she said.

She, however, acknowledged the efforts of journalists to provide accurate and factual information, stressing that there is still a need for continuous professional development and research-driven reporting, particularly in an era where social media has made information dissemination increasingly accessible.

“We want to see media that is more visible, media representatives that are more visible on the social media space rather than looking at bloggers causing blunder in our society,” she added.

Ejeh said one of the major outcomes expected from the roundtable was the establishment of a stronger and more structured relationship between IRISE and media professionals across Nigeria.

She explained that such collaboration would help journalists gain improved access to credible data, relevant experts and appropriate visual resources for reporting SRHR and GBV.

“We want to see more improved materials in the media space and we want to see professionals shaping the media space,” she said. “The media is working hard, but we need to support them to do their work better.”

She further stressed that responsible reporting on SRHR is essential because misinformation, inaccurate narratives and stigma can contribute to poor health outcomes, discourage people from seeking appropriate services and further silence conversations around gender-based violence.

Speaking from her position as Country Coordinator of One Billion Rising Nigeria, Ejeh also reiterated the movement’s commitment to using the media as a platform for advocacy, awareness and social change.

One Billion Rising is a global movement focused on ending violence against women and girls. The movement mobilises people around the world, particularly during its activities in February, to speak out against gender-based violence and demand an end to violence and discrimination.

In Nigeria, the movement works with civil society organisations, government institutions and media professionals to amplify survivor voices and advocate for stronger responses to gender-based violence.

At the roundtable, participants identified several areas that require greater attention in SRHR and GBV reporting.

Fact-Checking and Evidence-Based Reporting

Journalists were encouraged to rely on credible data from health institutions, research organisations, rights groups and other verified sources rather than depending solely on personal opinions, assumptions or isolated anecdotes.

Responsible Use of Visuals

Newsrooms were urged to pay greater attention to the images used alongside SRHR stories. Appropriate editorial guidelines should be developed to ensure that photographs and other visual materials accurately reflect the subject of a report and do not reinforce stigma or create contradictory messages.

Continuous Training and Retraining

Participants also emphasised the importance of regular capacity-building programmes for reporters and editors. Such training should cover appropriate SRHR terminology, ethical reporting, human rights principles and responsible coverage of sensitive issues.

Giving Greater Visibility to Professional Voices

The roundtable further highlighted the need for trained journalists and credible media organisations to become more active on digital platforms. This, participants noted, would help counter misinformation and misleading narratives circulated by unverified sources.

IRISE disclosed that it plans to provide further support to media organisations through access to resource persons, data toolkits and a media-monitoring feedback mechanism designed to track improvements in the quality of SRHR and GBV reporting.

The organisation also called on editors and media managers to treat SRHR and GBV as important public health and human rights issues rather than taboo subjects that should be avoided or sensationalised.

Ejeh urged journalists to recognise the power they possess in shaping public understanding of sensitive issues.

“As media, you have the power to either break the stigma or reinforce it,” the Executive Director concluded. “We are calling on you to choose to be the prophets of truth, dignity, and evidence.”

The two-day roundtable ended with participants expressing their commitment to strengthening collaboration with IRISE and ensuring that reporting on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as gender-based violence, is accurate, ethical, evidence-based and free from stigmatisation.

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