Gender Strategy and Advancement International (GSAI) has called for a mandatory 5% quota of news coverage across Nigerian media organisations to be dedicated to women and girls in key sectors such as politics, governance, the economy, security, health, climate change, science, technology and development.
The call was made during a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council Secretariat, where the organisation presented research-backed evidence on the long-standing under-representation of women in the media.
Leading the delegation, Executive Director of GSAI, Adaora Onyechere Sydney-Jack, said the initiative seeks to correct “decades of systemic exclusion of women in the media space”. She stressed that women’s voices continue to be treated as supplementary rather than central to national conversations.
“If women are not visible before the primaries, they are already excluded from the political process,” she noted.
Citing the UN Global Media Monitoring Project, she revealed that only 25% of news subjects worldwide are women, and Nigeria ranks even lower. She added that young women, rural women, and women with disabilities are “almost invisible” in media narratives.
According to her, although more than 45 women contested elections in 2023, many were defeated at the primary stage due to low media visibility.
“Women are not losing because they lack capacity; they are losing because they lack visibility,” she said.
GSAI is proposing that the 5% quota be applied across politics, elections, finance, governance, business, security, peacebuilding, science, technology, and innovation. Adaora emphasised that the quota must be policy-driven, suggesting its introduction as a private member’s bill at the National Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Members of the delegation included Communication Lead, Khadijat Alkali Godwin; Head of Administration, Victor Chima; Contact Director, Ayoola Oluboron; and WIMDI representative, Anele Lilian.
In her response, Chairman of NUJ FCT Council, Ms Grace Ike, commended GSAI for championing the initiative and reaffirmed the NUJ’s commitment to promoting inclusive, equitable and accountable media practices. She pledged the Council’s support in engaging media organisations to improve representation and strengthen editorial responsibility.
“The media must be a space where every voice is amplified and represented fairly. We welcome partnerships that promote inclusivity, capacity building, and editorial accountability,” she said.
Ms Ike added that the NUJ is ready to collaborate on training, research, and policy advocacy to ensure fair representation of women and marginalised groups in newsrooms. She described the meeting as “a reaffirmation of our shared responsibility to build a media landscape where everyone is seen, heard, and respected.”
A GSAI representative highlighted the need for conscious bias training and fairness in newsrooms, stressing that the 5% quota would significantly improve representation.
“That means training ourselves and colleagues on conscious biases, amplifying unheard voices, and adopting editorial policies that prioritise equity,” she said.
The NUJ leadership hinted that the Council may issue a national statement during the 16 Days of Activism, calling on editors and media executives to support the quota.
“The message is clear. Women need more than five per cent. NUJ FCT will consider taking leadership on this,” an official added.
The GSAI delegation noted that NUJ FCT is strategically positioned to lead national advocacy, especially with the election of its first female chairman in 41 years, an achievement described as “historic and timely”.
GSAI says it will continue consultations with media stakeholders, civil society organisations, and lawmakers to advance the policy framework.
“Without women in media leadership, women’s stories will continue to be sidelined; a functional democracy must reflect the voices of all its citizens not just half of them.” Ms Forrester said.
Others present at the meeting included NUJ FCT Vice Chairman, Yahaya Ndabambo; Council Secretary, Comrade Jide Oyekunle; Auditor, Rose Ikoko-Tega; and Ex-Officio Member, Ebriku John.