Khadijah Aliyu
The International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH), in collaboration with the Engender Health Consortium, has organized a two-day training on the role of traditional media influencers in advancing Gender, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Family Planning (FP), and Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Adolescent and Child Health (RMNCAH) activities.
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The programme, held in Kano, aimed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to support effective public health communication and advocacy.
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According to the organisers, the objectives of the training include recognizing the role of traditional media in shaping public perceptions, influencing behaviour, and advocating for improved health and gender outcomes.
Participants were also trained on identifying and addressing harmful stereotypes and stigmatizing narratives while committing to inclusive and sensitive reporting.
In her opening remarks, ISMPH Executive Director, Mrs. Moji Makanjuola represented by the organisation’s Programme Director, Mr. Solomon Dogo explained that the training was designed to share ideas and perspectives that would help promote maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH).
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He described the knowledge shared as highly relevant, adding that it would strengthen the capacity of media professionals to address critical health-related issues.
“The collaboration is important as we need to see more people enrolling in contributory health schemes, more men supporting women in family planning, and general improvements in our healthcare system”
Delivering goodwill messages,Atiku Mohammed Yola from CCSI and Kano State Team Lead for the Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL), Mohammed Inuwa Shuaibu, commended ISMPH and Engender Health for the initiative.
They urged participants to apply the knowledge gained in order to achieve tangible results.
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Participants at the training included veteran journalists Comrade Abubakar Adamu Rano, Managing Director of Kano State Radio Corporation; Bashir M. Bash, Bureau Chief of Blueprint Newspaper; Isiyaku Ahmed, Publisher of Stallion Times; Nasiru Zango of Freedom Radio; Gambo Ahmed Mustapha of Muhasa Radio/TV; and Khadijah Abdullahi Yahaya of Arewa Radio among others.
The sessions were facilitated by Dr. Nura Haladu, who delivered papers on the role of media in shaping public attitudes and influencing policy, as well as key concepts relating to gender, GBV, family planning, and RMNCAH.