Media Called to Lead Ethical Reporting and Advocacy Against GBV in Eastern Province
Katete, 9th January, 2026-The Gender Division has called on media professionals in Eastern Province to take a leading role in reporting and combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through ethical, accurate, and survivor-centred journalism.
Speaking at the opening of a five-day training for media, communication, and public relations professionals in Katete, Assistant Director for Anti-GBV under the Cabinet Office, Ms. Carolyn Chibinga, emphasized that responsible media reporting is critical to addressing GBV and protecting survivors.
“The media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception and influencing action on Gender-Based Violence. Ethical reporting helps protect survivors while promoting accountability,” Ms. Chibinga said.
She disclosed that the Gender Division, through the Spotlight Initiative, is implementing targeted interventions in Chipangali and Katete Districts of Eastern Province to combat gender-based violence, child marriages, and other harmful practices, with a deliberate focus on engaging men and boys in the fight against violence.
In welcoming remarks, Katete District Commissioner Paul Ngongolo noted that Eastern Province continues to face serious GBV-related challenges, including child marriages and teenage pregnancies, which negatively impact community development.
Mr. Ngongolo praised journalists for their consistent reporting on defilement cases, stating that such coverage has contributed to increased reporting and stronger action by law enforcement and other stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Eastern Province Assistant Secretary Clement Chilembo encouraged young people to take advantage of government empowerment programmes such as the Free Education Policy, Cash for Work, and the Constituency Development Fund-CDF to address poverty, which he identified as a major driver of Gender-Based Violence.
Mr. Chilembo emphasized that professional journalism plays a vital role in raising awareness, sensitizing the public, and influencing positive social change, making it essential in the fight against Gender-Based Violence.
And Eastern Province Provincial Gender Officer Warren Maimbolwa explained that the primary objective of Spotlight Initiative 2.0 is to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls-VAWG beyond Chipangali and Katete by addressing root causes, promoting gender equality, and empowering women and girls to live free from violence.
Mr. Maimbolwa added that the initiative works closely with the media to increase public awareness, shape public opinion, support survivors, and promote policy change using platforms ranging from traditional media to digital and social media.
The five-day training, organized by the International Organization for Migration-IOM, has attracted journalists from across Eastern Province and aims to strengthen media capacity in ethical GBV reporting and advocacy.
The training is being implemented under Spotlight Initiative 2.0, with financial support from the Government of Ireland, in partnership with the Zambian Government and other stakeholders.
Among the participants is the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme-EPJSLP Communication Officer, whose participation is expected to enhance the programme’s capacity to deliver ethical, gender-sensitive, and survivor-centred communication.
The training strengthens skills in responsible GBV reporting, advocacy, and public engagement, ensuring that EPJSLP communications uphold ethical standards, avoid harm, and contribute to awareness creation, prevention, and positive behaviour change across the province.
This participation aligns with the gender objectives of the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme–Emissions Reduction Project-EPJSLP-ERP under the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment.
The programme integrates gender equality as a core cross-cutting objective, including the prevention and mitigation of gender-based violence.
Through its GBV Action Plan, the programme promotes women’s participation, safeguards vulnerable groups, and ensures gender-responsive implementation of sustainable land use and climate-smart interventions, contributing to safe, inclusive, and equitable development in Eastern Province.
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