By Kenneth Obieh/ Giovanni Emephia
A consortium of Civil Society Organisations led by Smiles Africa International, has enjoined Journalists in Delta State to improve on their reportage of issues affecting key populations in the state, so as not to stigmatise, criminalize or discriminate against them on account of their lifestyle choices or circumstances.
The Executive Director, Smiles Africa International Youth Development Initiative, Mr. Purpose Iserhienrhien, stated this during a one-day training organized by the consortium for members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Delta State on discriminatory laws, policies and access to Human Rights and Health Services for these key populations.
The Executive Director who listed the key populations as transgender individuals, sex workers, people who inject drugs, individuals in prisons or closed settings, lesbians, intersex or LGBTQI+ individuals, stressed that these individuals should enjoy fundamental human rights as guaranteed by the constitution, rather than be subjected to what he termed “unfair criminalization, arbitrary arrests and harassment by law enforcement agents.”
Mr. Iserhienrhien averred that these key populations should be given full opportunity to enjoy all rights and privileges due to every citizen, irrespective of their personal circumstances as, according to him, a lot of these individuals are the way they are as a result of the circumstances of their birth, rather than any fault of theirs.
The social rights activists further pointed out that the lack of access to key population-friendly healthcare services as a result of stigma and discrimination at healthcare facilities in the state and elsewhere, could further alienate this group and endanger the larger society through their unmanaged, unregulated high-risk behaviours.
He called on Journalists as knowledgeable members of society to add their voices to the call on governments at all levels to enact legislations to protect the rights of key population individuals and facilitate access to justice, healthcare services and basic fundamental human rights.
In her remarks, the member representing Oshimili South State Constituency in the Delta State House Assembly, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, a social rights activist herself, commended the organisers of the event and urged the journalists to help educate and champion the cause for a just and humane society, devoid of discrimination.
Barr. Anyafulu encouraged journalists not to allow the legacies of their ancestors to be destroyed, saying, “life is beyond families and friends; for everyone counts.”
The Executive Director Partnership and Policy Coordination, State Action Committee on Aids, SACA, Mrs. Grace Sifo, encouraged journalists to use the appropriate language in the course of reporting activities of key populations so as to build a bridge of understanding and compassion for these key populations.
She revealed that these individuals are deprived of health services based on the negative perceptions from the society, and this has made them isolate themselves from such facilities even when they have the opportunity to access them.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Delta State Council, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, said that Journalists should understand the complexities of the issues and strive to effectively report them.
The Chairman urged his colleagues to help raise awareness on these issues, the challenges of discrimination and advocate for positive change.
Other CSOs present included Securing the Creative Goldmine in Youths Initiative; Crown Health and Empowerment Initiative; Mcclifford Initiative for Equal Access to Health Care and Human Rights, as well as Adaora Development Initiative for Vulnerable Women and Young Girls.
Highlights of the event were the presentation of award of recognition to Hon. Bridget Anyafulu for her contributions to social and human rights activism, and the presentation of certificates to all participants.