Journalists Recommit To Being Deliberate In Reporting Gender Issues

Journalists and media practitioners from across Nigeria converge in Abuja and have pledged to make deliberate efforts in their commitment to reporting gender issues in their respective organizations.

The journalists from different states in Nigeria made this individual commitment after a two-day training session revealed that not much of gender issues were being carried in the media.

The training workshop on ‘Understanding the Women, Peace, and Security Resolutions 1325 of the United Nations’, was organized by the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, (WANEP), in collaboration with the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, as well as with support from the Global Affairs Canada, Peace, and Stabilization Operations Programme.

Speaking with Voice of Nigeria, some of the participants recommitted themselves to doing more to ensure that women’s issues were brought to the limelight, which they believe would consequently increase women’s involvement in peacebuilding and decision-making processes in Nigeria.

A journalist, Mrs. Ene Oshaba, was the overall winner of the WANEP Media Prize Competition.

She said despite the recognition of her efforts to amplify the voices of women in her reportage, she intended to deliberately do even more, particularly because women’s issues were being under-reported in the media.

Mrs. Oshaba said the society in Nigeria had drawn women back, by silencing their voices when it comes to speaking up for their rights.

She called on journalists to be deliberate in reporting issues of women and go beyond trivial matters of women and delve into issues such as women in politics, as well as the consideration of their needs in various conditions.

“If we are talking about the floods, and disasters, we should get the voice of women, because we just gave general views meanwhile, women have specific challenges, specific features, which you may never understand until you get to meet them and they get to explain to you,” Mrs. Oshaba said.

Another journalist, Mr. Olatunji Omirin, in Maiduguri, Borno State, said he is taking back with him a fresh resolve to promote issues affecting women in the conflict-affected state.

“There are women that have been doing a lot, but it seems that media are not giving them enough space, especially in Borno State. We only have one female in the cabinet of the governor and only one female that is contesting for House of Representatives out of over twenty. So, if you look at it, it’s a thing of concern,” said Mr. Omirin.

Consistent

A journalist, Gloria Attah, described the workshop as insightful training, where her mind had been opened up to certain issues of women that she previously did not consider.

“It has broadened my line of thoughts on issues that affect women that we should pay attention to. And then, apart from that, one of the things I am taking back from this training is the advocacy spirit. I know that the media play a critical role, but this time, it’s a personal project for me. And I also know that I am an active player in the industry. As much as I am a journalist, I have to work so hard to contribute my own quota at ensuring that the job I am doing brings the much-needed impact,” Mrs. Attah said.

Overall, the National Network Coordinator of WANEP Nigeria, Mrs. Bridget Osakwe, encouraged the participants to be consistent in their reportage of women’s role in peacebuilding, to overcome any hurdle in publishing such issues.

“In our respective corners, there are some young media practitioners that are here, who do not have voices yet in their working places. Don’t be bothered. Ah! If I tell my Editor he might not approve! Don’t worry. Rome was not built in a day. If you keep at it and continue to do what you are doing, someday, he will listen to you,” Mrs. Osakwe said.

Olusola Akintonde