Journalists Urged to Promote Women’s Political Participation Through Positive Reportage

Nigerian Journalists have been charged to redouble their efforts at promoting women participation in politics and governance through positive reportage on their activities.

A Media and Development Communications Specialist, Mrs Adebisi Adetunji gave the charge at a training programme organised for Journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State by ARDA Development Communication Incorporated and United Nations Women.

Adetunji frowned at the current number of women in both National and State Assemblies describing them as few despite their huge numerical strength.

She urged Journalists to design relevant women oriented programmes, showcasing outstanding successful women who have contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria so as  to encourage women to take up leadership positions at all levels.

Adetunji identified culture, religion, funding, inferiority complex and discrimination as major impediments to women’s desire to take up leadership in the country.

She advised media outlets to always package divergent jingles addressing specific women political barriers to create awareness to change the narratives.

She equally challenged Nigerian women to actively engage in politics with zeal and resilience so as to earn their rightful positions in the scheme of things.

Over fifty Journalists participated at the seminar, drawn from the radio, print, television, and online platforms.

In Nigeria, it is observed that despite women constituting nearly half of the population, their representation in leadership and political spheres remains alarmingly low, hindering gender equality and inclusive governance.

The theme of the one day seminar was: ‘Representation Matters: How Media Should Portray Women In Political Leadership And Governance In Nigeria’

A cross section of participants commended the organizers of the seminar for involving them in the programme and suggested that more and frequent programmes of such nature be organized until more women participate actively in politics.

Emmanuel Ukoh