The United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on journalists to promote children‘s rights to ensure every child thrives in a safe and supportive environment.

Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF Bauchi Field Officer, made the call in Jos on Thursday, during an interactive meeting with the media.

Ms Rafique said that the meeting was to foster a working relationship with UNICEF, especially on children and women’s advocacy reportage.

She urged journalists to raise awareness and hold stakeholders accountable for reaching every child, aiming to strengthen the health systems and ensure no child was left behind.

“There is the need to vaccinate every child, noting that zero-dose children, those never immunised, reflect health system failure,” she said.

The field officer encouraged journalists to increase their coverage of UNICEF’s five priority areas: birth registration, nutrition, sanitation, education, and child protection.

Ope Olagunju, UNICEF communications and advocacy officer, Bauchi Field Office, emphasised the media’s role in advocating for children’s rights to drive change.

Mr Olagunju stressed that journalists could influence policies by amplifying children’s voices and also encourage collaboration with government and community leaders to create a safer, more supportive environment for children.

He urged journalists to consistently report on children’s issues to ensure their well-being.

“By consistently reporting on these issues, journalists play a vital role in creating a safer, healthier, and more equitable environment for children to thrive,” he said.

Also speaking, Umar Shura, a media partner under UNICEF’s programme of collaboration, urged journalists to always provide credible, balanced, and accurate reports.

Mr Shura emphasised the importance of thorough research, fact-checking, and avoiding sensationalism to ensure reports are trustworthy and impactful.

(NAN)