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| Photo by mulugeta wolde on Unsplash |
Vee was only 24 when she walked into a radio station, asking for help; all she needed was for someone to listen to her. She met someone on a social media platform. He was nice, handsome, and romantic, so she thought she had met the man of her dreams. He wasn’t rich, but he was comfortable and had great ideas for the future, and their conversations were focused on career and growth. Indeed, she had met her soulmate, or so she thought.
The first comment came in the first month, “Is this what you are wearing for our date? Change into something else. I want to see your curves.” Then came, “you are gaining weight”, “why are you chewing like that”, “can’t you see how other ladies do their make-up?” Then, “you’re not smart enough to handle this”, and the comments kept coming. There was never physical violence, but Vee knew that this was not how love was supposed to feel.
She tried to talk about it, but people dismissed it as “relationship drama.” Her friends joked about it. She tried confiding in a neighbour, but the woman told her to “endure because men can be difficult sometimes.” It wasn’t until Vee heard a caller on a radio show describe a similar experience that she realised what she was facing had a name-abuse- and that she wasn’t alone.
That single broadcast gave her the courage to seek help. And that is the power of media.
Every year, during the 16 Days of Activism, we focus on ending violence against women and girls. But as someone who works with stories every day, I am constantly reminded that media is a tool for awareness on gender-based violence, and a lifeline.
Media Opens The Door For Conversations
Many people don’t recognise abuse, especially when there are no physical scars to prove it, until someone names it. The media can do that boldly and publicly. A radio segment, a documentary, a short video on social media, these can reshape understanding in real time. They can make a young woman realise she deserves safety, or push a community to rethink harmful norms. After all, the media is the fourth estate of the realm; the media sets the agenda.
Ethical Storytelling Changes The Culture
For years, stories about violence against women have been sensationalised. Headlines reduce survivors to gossip news. Coverage fixates on scandal, not solutions. That cycle harms everyone.
But when we tell stories the right way, when we protect survivors’ identities, treat them with dignity, and use language that holds perpetrators responsible, the narrative shifts. People stop seeing violence as “entertainment” and start seeing it as an urgent social issue.
This is where the media becomes a force for healing instead of harm.
Media Pushes Authorities To Act
Government agencies, health systems, law enforcement, and community leaders often respond faster when stories hit the airwaves. When we highlight gaps in policing, expose underfunded shelters, or question harmful policies, we push decision-makers to act.
When we amplify survivor voices, demand accountability, and document systemic failures, we push society closer to justice.
Inclusive Content Breaks Harmful Norms
Gender stereotypes feed violence. Every time a girl sees herself portrayed as weak, voiceless, or only valuable for her beauty or obedience, we reinforce the very structures that keep violence alive.
But when we amplify strong female voices, show women as leaders, celebrate their achievements, and portray their struggles with respect, we chip away at the cultural norms that justify abuse.
Digital Platforms Amplify Movements
The digital world has become a megaphone for activism. Hashtags spark conversations. Short videos challenge stigma. Online communities offer comfort to survivors who feel alone.
When media professionals and activists collaborate online, change spreads faster. Movements gain momentum. Young people feel empowered to speak up. Authorities feel the pressure of a collective voice.
How Media Can Drive Real Change
To make media a true force for ending violence, we must be deliberate. Here is how:
Tell survivor-centred stories with consent and care.
Challenge harmful stereotypes, especially the ones people take for granted.
Highlight solutions, not just tragedies.
Bring experts into conversations to deepen understanding.
Give survivors the microphone, not just a moment. Let them share their stories; they are not just victims, they are survivors.
Train media teams on gender-sensitive and trauma-informed reporting.
Run consistent campaigns, not just seasonal content.
I think about Veea and how one broadcast changed her life trajectory, and I am reminded that every platform, every show, every headline, every storyline carries possibility.
Imagine a media ecosystem where every piece of content pushes society toward dignity, equality, and safety for women and girls. It is possible, and it starts with intentional storytelling, as we do at Shades of Us.
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