Journalists acquire child protection skills

A workshop on reporting cases of child abuse and promoting gender equality in the media took place in Yaounde on April 7, 2015.

Child maltreatment is the violence and negligence of all people below 18 years. In Cameroon, children and youths are still victims of numerous forms of violence at home, in school or in the communities. Child abuse has devastating effects on children in their follow-up, development and participation.

It is in this light that a workshop on the theme, “How to report cases of child abuse and promote gender equality in the media,” took place in Yaounde on April 7, 2015. Speaking at the occasion, the Country Director of Plan Cameroon, Bell’Aube Huinato, stressed the need for journalists to pass on the message that child protection is important in order to build a society that respects the rights of the child. Journalists listened to lectures on the major guidelines when reporting on children.

Some of these include being conscious in order not to harm the children, realising that children have rights and dignity that must be respected.

The objective of the workshop was to contribute to improving knowledge of media professionals on child protection and gender in their coverage to ensure a better future for children in Cameroon.

Protecting children against all forms of violence is one of the major priorities of Plan Cameroon. The organisation works with the media in order that they can help promote this vision.

Organised by Plan Cameroon, the workshop brought together journalists from the national and international media in the country.