Advocating For Inclusivity: Edo Journalists Trained On Discriminatory Laws And Health Access
2 min read
By Samuel Kolawole
The Smiles Africa International Youth Development Initiative (SAIYDI), in collaboration with the “We are People Consortium” and support from ISDAO – LOVE ALLIANCE, spearheaded a one-day training for journalists in Edo State.
The focus was on Discriminatory Laws and Policies and Access to Rights and Health Services Among Key Populations.
The training, held at the Edo NUJ press centre, Benin City, welcomed journalists with an opening address by Comrade Festus Alenkhe, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council.
He urged participants to leverage the knowledge gained in reporting on drug-related activities, expressing gratitude to the organizers for providing such innovative training opportunities.
Purpose Osamwonyi Iserhienrhien, the Executive Director of Smiles Africa International Youth Development Initiative, delivered an insightful overview of discriminatory laws.
He highlighted the current legal landscape affecting key populations, emphasizing the need for informed reporting on these issues.
During the discussions, a call was made for potential partnerships and initiatives to create an enabling environment for key populations, including intersex individuals, bisexuals, transgender, and LGBTQI communities.
This involves urging the government to consider reforms that protect the rights and dignity of these groups, with a focus on decriminalization and ensuring access to healthcare and support services.
SAIYDI presented several recommendations, including the decriminalization of consensual adult same-sex relationships and the explicit decriminalization of the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (SSMPA).
They also proposed amending the Labour Act of 1990 to recognize sex work as legitimate employment, allowing appropriate regulations and protections accorded to other workers in Nigeria.
Additionally, there was a call for broader reforms in laws and policies to safeguard the rights and dignity of key populations.
Participants at the event commended SAIYDI for its commendable projects and for equipping them with valuable information on the discussed issues.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of training certificates to the journalists, marking a crucial step towards fostering inclusive reporting in Edo State.
