In a recent one-day training session held in Lagos, Nigeria, journalists delved into the crucial role of media in advocating for improved women’s health services.
Organized by the Center for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) in partnership with Pathfinders International, the training focused on best practices for reporting sensitive women’s health topics like Family Planning (FP), Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and sexual violence.
During the training, Oluyemi Abodunri, the Technical Adviser at CCSI, emphasized the significant influence of media in shaping public discourse, especially in the realm of women’s health.
Abodunri highlighted the media’s potential to shed light on under-reported women’s health issues, such as maternal mortality rates, contraception access, and the importance of skilled birth attendants.
Furthermore, Abodunri stressed the power of investigative journalism in uncovering disparities in healthcare access, discrimination in the medical system, and the role of social determinants in women’s health.
He noted that the media can play a pivotal role in holding governments and healthcare institutions accountable for providing quality and accessible healthcare services for women.
Additionally, Abodunri emphasized the media’s ability to amplify women’s voices by providing a platform for sharing their health experiences, challenges, and successes.
This platform can foster empathy, understanding, and a sense of community among women.
In closing, Abodunri advised journalists to craft compelling stories that resonate with audience interests, focusing on human stories and potential solutions to women’s health issues.
