In the run up to International Women’s Day, the Media Trust, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, hosted a workshop on 5 March 2026, focusing on the need for responsible reporting of gender-based violence.
The workshop brought together media professionals to examine issues including understanding violence against women, exploring less visible forms of violence (such as economic, psychological and cyberviolence) and its prevention, as well as media reporting on violence against women, looking at common mistakes and their consequences.
The Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mrs Marie Arianne Navarre-Marie, awarded certificates to the participants who successfully completed the one-day training course.
Speaking at the event, as a former journalist herself, the Minister highlighted that journalists understand the importance of protecting the dignity and privacy of the survivors as well as the families of the victims. She noted that professional training helps avoid harmful narratives, and that responsible reporting can become a powerful tool for awareness and prevention.
The Minister underscored that through precise and ethical reporting, journalists can highlight systemic gaps and support national efforts to strengthen women’s and youth protection policies.
She reaffirmed that gender equality is not a “distant objective” but is “a daily imperative”, and that the media are, whether they like it or not, central actors. She pointed out that ending gender-based violence requires a mobilising approach from the whole of society, underlining that government, civil society, law enforcement and the media all have a crucial role to play.
The Minister concluded that, by ensuring that journalists and content creators have the appropriate training and are guided by solid ethical standards, it would strengthen the collective capacity to respond to violence with responsibility, compassion and justice.
