The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) FCT Chapter in partnership with Supporting Hands Initiative (SHI) has organised a one day training on Cyber Bulling and Harassment of Female Journalists in Abuja.
The training was supported by Report women News and Newsroom engagement -WSCIJ and hosted by Development journalist/Fellow FRLP-WSCIJ, Bassey Ita Ikpang.

Addressing the participants, NAWOJ President, Comrade Ladi Bala condemned in strong terms the cyber bullying and harassment of journalists, especially female journalists as they discharge their duties.

She stressed that the police and other security agencies should ensure that the full weight of the law is brought on people harassing journalists and cyberbullies as enshrined in the constitution to serve as deterrent to others.

According to her, “female journalists also have a role to play in eliminating sexual and Gender based violence by reporting and ensuring follow ups until survivors get justice”.

In her speech, the Chairperson NAWOJ FCT, Comrade Annah Daniel charged journalists to take full advantage of the training as it is meant to educate, inform and enlightened them.

She encouraged the journalists to always  report cases of gender based violence basically bullying and harassment of women journalists to the appropriate authority.

Com. Annah who stressed that the Association is committed to the interest of their members also urged them to abide by the ethics of the profession.

The guest speaker, Chizoba Ogbeche listed causes of gender based violence especially bullying and harassment of women journalists and way forward.

She added that female journalists should dress decently to avoid undue attention and harassment.

According to Chizoba, “Studies have shown that female journalists are targeted online significantly more than their male colleagues, and that the threats they face are highly sexualized.
She maintained that female journalists should show high sense of professionalism in discharging their duties.