The Initiative to Resist Institutional Slavery/Exploitation (IRISE) has attributed the persistence of incest in Nigeria to a culture of silence, stigma, and discrimination that discourages survivors from speaking out. According to IRISE, this culture has created an environment where perpetrators feel protected while survivors are left to contend with stigma and discrimination. The group's Executive Director, Omodele Ebitoye Ejeh, described incest and paedophilia as an "industry" that thrives on the fear that victims will not be believed.
Ejeh, who is also the Country Coordinator of One Billion Rising, made these remarks in Lagos during a two-day media roundtable organised to review a February 2026 training on Rights-based and Evidence-driven Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) reporting. She condemned sexual abuse within families and called for severe punishment for perpetrators of incest, irrespective of their circumstances. Ejeh added that the continued silence around incest has emboldened perpetrators, who often exploit victims' fear of not being believed.
The IRISE Executive Director described the situation as a vicious cycle, where perpetrators tell victims that nobody will believe them, which can kill their morale and make them remain silent. She stressed that the media has a critical role in shaping public understanding of sensitive issues like incest and SRHR. Ejeh urged journalists to make greater use of credible data when reporting on these issues, saying that this can help to create a more informed public discourse.
Ejeh described journalists as "prophets" who shape narratives and influence how members of the public understand issues affecting their lives. She said that the roundtable was designed to assess how journalists had applied knowledge gained from the earlier training and identify challenges they faced while reporting on SRHR and gender-based violence. Ejeh also expressed concern over the growing influence of non-professionals in the media space, particularly on social media.
The IRISE Executive Director urged journalists to strengthen their presence online and provide credible alternatives to misinformation. She said that IRISE is ready to deepen its partnership with journalists and support them in producing more accurate and responsible reports. Ejeh also recalled a study by IRISE on media coverage of sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence, which found instances where inappropriate visuals undermined otherwise accurate reports.
Ejeh cited an example of a report on contraceptives that was illustrated with a photograph of a heavily pregnant woman, which sent a contradictory message. She said that such visuals can undermine the credibility of reports and create confusion among readers. Ejeh stressed that journalists have a critical role in shaping public understanding of sensitive issues and must strive to produce high-quality reports that are accurate and responsible.
IRISE is committed to supporting journalists in producing high-quality reports on SRHR and gender-based violence. The group believes that by working together, they can create a more informed public discourse and promote a culture of accountability and transparency. Key issues that need to be addressed include the culture of silence and stigma surrounding incest, the need for credible data in reporting on SRHR, and the importance of responsible reporting practices.
Key points
- The culture of silence and stigma surrounding incest discourages survivors from speaking out.
- IRISE is calling for severe punishment for perpetrators of incest, irrespective of their circumstances.
- Journalists have a critical role in shaping public understanding of sensitive issues like incest and SRHR.
