Female campus journalists in the country have been trained on how to exercise their digital rights.
The training organised by Education As A Vaccine (E.V.A) Nigeria with the theme “Safe to Surf” was held 17th-18th January in Abuja.
During the training, Sandra Jonathan, the Program Officer for EVA stated that the training is to get female journalists across Nigeria equipped with digital rights and the concepts.
Investigations Editor of HumAngle Kunle Adebajo, one of the facilitators, explained that female journalists have various rights as digital natives.
“As digital natives, we have the right to assembly and association; privacy and data protection, child protection, e.t.c,” he explained.
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He also clarified the need for a civic space as it can be used for enlightenment, demanding accountability, innovation, and checks and balances.
Andrew Madaki, another facilitator, informed the participants about “Digital Security for Female Journalists.” He shared some security tips that would help female journalists protect their data, ensure their safety and use the internet without risk.
Kelechi Ofim, of TechHer Nigeria, educated the participants about Technology and Sexual Gender-Based Violence(TSGBV).
“TSGBV is a type of violence that occurs online and most times, females are always the recipients. Most of the people who slut-shame and victimize women are the people who are close to them,” he stated.
Speaking with the participants, Taiwo Babatunde from Federal University, Oye-Ekiti expressed her gratitude to the organizers and explained that she has learnt a lot in the civic space and the rights she possesses as a Journalist.
“I would advocate more on Gender-Based Violence and make women speak out whenever they are being abused,” she said.
Grace Gara of EVA Nigeria advised the participants to make use of what they have learnt positively and also educate other Female Campus Journalists.
EVA is a non-profit organization founded in 2000, registered in Nigeria and in the United States to improve the health and development of children, adolescents, and young people.
Using child and youth-friendly approaches, the organization strengthens the capacities of children, young people, and other stakeholders to facilitate and sustain social change in the area of health, protection, and education through integrated programming.