Female journalists and media executives from across the country convened at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Port Harcourt for a one-day consultative session aimed at advancing professionalism in democratic reporting. This was a landmark move to empower women in the Nigerian media space.
Organized by the International Press Centre (IPC) with support from the European Union under Component 4 of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria – Phase II (EUSDGN II), the session brought together leaders of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), editors, producers, senior reporters, and media executives across print, broadcast, and digital platforms.
In his opening address, IPC Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, emphasized the pivotal role of women journalists in enhancing democracy through inclusive and gender-sensitive reporting. “Strengthening the visibility of female politicians and holding leaders accountable to gender-related campaign promises is essential to building a fairer society,” he stated.
NAWOJ’s National Chairperson, Aisha Ibrahim, represented by her deputy, Dr. Lilian Okonkwo-Ogabu, expressed gratitude for the initiative, calling for sustained collaboration to amplify women’s voices and promote ethical journalism. She stressed that empowering female journalists translates to fostering a more representative democratic process.
Dr. Titilayo Osuagwu, a senior lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, delivered a keynote presentation titled “Utilizing Media Power to Promote Electoral Outcomes and Reforms Addressing Women’s Issues.” She charged female journalists to embrace solution-driven journalism and elevate the discourse around women’s participation in politics.
Harsh realities, bold recommendations
Participants openly discussed the systemic challenges hindering women’s advancement in journalism and politics. Observations included:
- Persistent socio-political and cultural barriers discourage women from leadership.
- A lack of mentorship and professional development support for aspiring female journalists.
- Deficiencies in essential skills, such as stenography, impact accurate reporting.
- Low confidence among women due to internalized societal biases.
- Poor visibility for women politicians is caused by a reluctance to engage with the media.
To address these issues, the session produced a robust set of recommendations, including:
- Strengthening collaborations between NAWOJ and IPC to foster direct engagement between female journalists and elected women politicians.
- Tracking and reporting the implementation of campaign promises related to women’s issues through a solution-driven journalism approach.
- Amplifying women’s political successes to shift public perceptions and encourage voter support.
- Advocating for electoral reforms that guarantee better female representation, such as reserved legislative seats and independent candidacy.
- Launching a virtual training platform and mentorship programs to enhance capacity-building.
- Promoting women-focused media platforms and public awareness campaigns like “I Can, We Can” to boost confidence.
- Collaborating with security agencies and civil society groups to ensure the safety of women in political reporting spaces.
The event concluded with a united call for legal and policy reforms to advance inclusivity, equity, and women’s leadership in journalism and governance.
