Journalists attend child abuse workshop

By PHARES MUTEMBEI

Journalists play a big role in the protection of children’s rights, especially now that cases of child abuse are rampant. Television, radio, and newspaper journalists have been encouraged to do more in highlighting challenges faced by children across the country, hence fast track solutions.

A group of journalists specialised in children stories recently attended a workshop organised by Panos East Africa Media Agency for Child Protection at a Nairobi hotel.

Speaking at the event, Thorn Mulli of Generation Next, urged the journalists drawn from different media houses to use the opportunity to serve the children’s interests.

Clement Njoroge, the project officer at Panos, said child abuse in Kenya is a serious problem than is currently projected to the public. “The media is very powerful and influential because it serves as a platform for citizens to air their challenges. It should continue to illuminate themes affecting children and young people. Panos will help in strengthening the capacity of journalists to illustrate issues affecting children,” said Njoroge. He added that a country could not be termed as developed if her children are abused and neglected.

The event also saw three journalists from different media houses awarded fellowships that will facilitate them in their reporting of the situation of children in care institutions, communities and other environments. Panos is an international organisation founded by a group of journalists.

Anthony Wambua, of Samaritan’s Purse Child Reintegration Programme, said children have been forced to seek refuge in Child Care Institutions, after braving poverty and abuse in the communities. “At least eight million children worldwide live in residential care institutions worldwide. In Kenya, these children are drawn from poor families. The 2007-2008 post-election violence also left in its wake orphans who need support and care. Sadly, a prolonged stay in these  institutions is harmful to their growth and development,” said Wambua.

Cornel Ogutu from African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect added that police, law courts and the general public must also join the media in addressing child abuse in any form including early forced marriages, female genital mutilation, sexual abuse and any other forms while Rose Kwamboka of the Media Council of Kenya reminded the journalists to always adhere to the jounalistic code of conduct.