The Association of Journalists for Sexual and Reproductive Health (Aj-Ssr) in Benin has emphasized the crucial role of media professionals in informing the public about safe abortion. On the occasion of the International Day for Safe Abortion, the association highlighted that despite progress made since the adoption of Law No. 2021-12 in December 2021, which modified and complemented the law on sexual and reproductive health, there is still a long way to go.
According to the Aj-Ssr, a survey of 50 journalists conducted over a month revealed that more than half of them have an imperfect understanding of the legal framework for safe abortion. This situation poses a challenge to the quality of information disseminated to the public. The association also identified a lack of capacity building and difficulties in identifying and accessing reliable sources as major obstacles to comprehensive coverage of sexual and reproductive health issues.
The Aj-Ssr is not asking journalists to advocate for sexual and reproductive health rights, but rather to provide the public with the necessary information to understand the existing laws and realities on the ground. The association's president, Olive Oussougoué, stressed that journalists should explain the legal frameworks, collaborate with reliable sources, and give a voice to women without exposing them.
The association is advocating for responsible editorial practices in the treatment of these sensitive topics. It believes that well-informed productions can contribute to a better understanding of the law, document discrepancies on the ground, and open up new avenues for reflection. To achieve this, the Aj-Ssr is proposing training sessions for journalists, including decentralized workshops followed by editorial support to enhance journalistic productions.
The Aj-Ssr is also calling on research institutions to share their data and translate it into formats usable by newsrooms. The association is seeking support from technical and financial partners to fund training sessions and create a national directory of reliable sources on sexual and reproductive health, comprising healthcare professionals, jurists, and NGOs.
Two days of discussions are scheduled for September 26 and 28 to explore the role of media in popularizing the law and responsible coverage of progress, challenges, and solutions. The association hopes that these efforts will contribute to improved coverage of safe abortion and sexual and reproductive health issues in Benin.
Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that women in Benin have access to accurate information and quality healthcare services, allowing them to make informed choices about their reproductive health. By working together, the Aj-Ssr and media professionals can help bridge the gap in understanding and coverage of safe abortion in Benin.
Key points
- The Association of Journalists for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Benin is pushing for better media coverage of safe abortion.
- Limited understanding of the legal framework and lack of access to reliable sources hinder comprehensive coverage.
- The association proposes training sessions and improved access to data and sources to enhance journalistic productions.
