21/08/2026
*NOA OYO ADVOCATES RESPONSIBLE, SURVIVOR-CENTRED REPORTING IN FIGHT AGAINST SGBV*
Ibadan, Oyo State — August 20, 2026: The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Oyo State Directorate, has called for responsible, accurate and survivor-centred communication in the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), stressing the need to protect survivors’ dignity while promoting accountability and access to support.
The call was made during a two-day capacity-building workshop on combating SGBV organised by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), under the EU-supported Support to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (ESGBV) Programme.
The workshop, held 19–20 August 2026 at The JAGZ, 4 Simeon Adebo Street, Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan, Oyo State, brought together media and communication practitioners to strengthen ethical, gender-sensitive and survivor-centred reporting of SGBV.
Representing the Oyo State Director of NOA, Mrs. Ajolayo Sinmat Akande, was Mrs. Omobolanle Odulana Osunwo, Assistant Director and Head of the Ibadan North-West Local Government Area Office.
Participants were urged to adopt a *“Do No Harm”* approach by protecting the identity and privacy of survivors, particularly children, avoiding sensationalism and graphic descriptions, and refraining from language that blames or stigmatises survivors.
The workshop also emphasised the importance of accurate terminology and responsible reporting, urging media practitioners to distinguish between allegations, investigations, charges and convictions. Participants were further cautioned against presenting a survivor’s clothing, location, relationship, occupation or delay in reporting as justification for violence.
Attention was also drawn to the Oyo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law 2020 and the growing threat of technology-facilitated SGBV, including cyberstalking, online sexual harassment, threats and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
The engagement underscored the relevance of the workshop to NOA’s grassroots orientation mandate, with emphasis on using simple, gender-sensitive and culturally appropriate communication to challenge harmful social norms, promote knowledge of the law, discourage victim-blaming and provide citizens with practical information on reporting and available support.
The workshop concluded that effective SGBV communication must go beyond merely disseminating information to protecting dignity, challenging stereotypes and empowering citizens to take informed action.
The National Orientation Agency, Oyo State Directorate, therefore reaffirmed its commitment to sustained public enlightenment and stakeholder collaboration towards preventing SGBV and promoting a society where every individual can live with dignity, safety and respect.