In an ever evolving sector, issues of GBV remain at the core of the work conducted by women’s rights organizations. In this regard, Hivos organized a two-day Partner Capacity-Strengthening Workshop on GBV, which GMC was honored to be part of.
The focus of the workshop was to increase the awareness of Hivos’s partners under the S(he) Matters project on risk factors and early warning signs of GBV and to identify the root causes of GBV in their work.
The workshop, facilitated by Musasa Project, shed light on the key contributing factors to GBV, including poverty, low job skills, low wages, and high illiteracy levels. These factors were identified as some of the key root causes of GBV within different communities, including the media. Moreover, the workshop scrutinized key pieces of legislation, such as the Constitution, Domestic Violence Act, and the Criminal Codification Act, which are aimed at addressing GBV comprehensively.
As a GBV prevention measure, the engagement also touched on issues of safeguarding, with partners being urged to put in place safeguarding policies which are aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals whom they work with, including children and at-risk adults, from abuse, harm, and exploitation. Safeguarding policies will allow organizations to operate in a manner that promotes safety and respect for all individuals and creating a secure environment for both beneficiaries and staff.
The workshop served as a platform for meaningful discussions, knowledge sharing, and capacity strengthening, ultimately empowering the participants to advocate for systemic changes and support those affected by GBV. As Gender & Media Connect continues to actively engage and participate in such initiatives, our commitment to fostering safe and supportive environment for female journalists remains steadfast.
