By Fatima Umar
Women journalists have been urged to exercise caution and professionalism in their coverage of elections to promote peaceful and credible democratic processes.
The advice was given at a capacity-building workshop on election reportage, organised by the Interfaith Mediation Centre in Kaduna.
The workshop focused on strengthening women’s interfaith leadership in human rights protection, transitional justice and democratic stability.
The Programme Coordinator of the Centre, Mr Samson Auta, said there was a need to address challenges facing women and channel them to relevant authorities before they escalate.
He urged communities to support vulnerable and marginalised people, including men and women facing pressure or experiencing abuse.
Mr Auta also highlighted the importance of identifying early warning signs of violence and protecting freedom of religion and the right of citizens to make their voting choices without intimidation.
Earlier, Mallam Ibrahim Yakubu urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intensify public sensitisation, particularly among women’s groups, on the dangers of selling their Permanent Voter Cards to politicians.
He also advised participants to use their various platforms to prevent violence, especially before, during and after the 2027 general elections.
Editing By Yusuf Zubairu