THEME: Break the Silence, Break the Barriers! How Will You Make Education Safe for Girls?

Every November 25th - December 10th, the International campaign against violence against women and girls (VAWG) unites activists, organizations and individuals across the world to raise their collective voices during the 16 Days of Activism Campaign on violence against women and girls.

This year’s National theme is From Peace in the Home to peace in the Nation: Making education safe for all. Over the 16 days period the Domestic Violence Act Coalition will engage the communities under the regional theme; Break the Silence, Break the Barriers! How Will You Make Education Safe for Girls?

The theme highlights that we need to break the silence, demand and implore policy makers, parents, schools, and institutions to make education safe for all, specifically girls and young women, by highlighting and breaking the structural barriers that discriminate women and girls throughout the education system right from the home, community, and the school setting including government policies and systems that impact girls’ experience at school.

Read more: Joint Press Statement: 2016 16 Days of Activism Campaign

This document serves as a resource for media personnel on communicating gender in the media. It has been adapted from the materials that CEDOVIP uses during trainings on reporting about gender.

Journalists often believe that their role is to provide an objective perspective on news or current events. However, objectivity is more of a myth than a guiding principle. In reality, a person’s biases, opinions and beliefs will likely show through in the way that the journalist writes or asks questions. Rather than attempting to be objective, it is best to produce a balanced piece that demonstrates awareness of their own gender biases.

Read more: Can the Media Be Objective?

• Name the crime
  Do not say “a man forced a woman to have sex with him.” Use the term and say, “a man raped a woman.” Not using the actual term for a crime makes the crime seem less serious and it causes confusion to readers. It is more important to send a clear message to your readers than to keep a dangerous writing style.
  
  
• Safety first- do not put the victim at risk
  Do not disclose the victim’s identity. Remember that domestic violence is life-threatening and dangerous. When you use a victim’s name or picture, you put her, her family and her community at risk.
  
  
• Know the law
  Understand that these crimes are illegal and punishable by law. Understand these laws and how to report on them.
  
  
• Never excuse violence
  Do not justify violence by pointing out a victim’s faults, acts, etc. If a man committed violence, he chose to do so. The victim does not make him use violence.
  
  
• Domestic violence is serious and life-threatening
  Do not sensationalize or desensitize the issue because it is a serious issue.

  Read more: Tips for Reporting on Domestic Violence