By CHINYERE Nnaemeka
The UN Women; an organization which core mandate is to deliver programmes, policies and standards that upholds women’s human rights and ensure that every woman and girl lives up to her full potential, has beckoned on Media Practitioners, Civil Society Organizations, Gender Experts to keep supporting the course of promoting political and economic empowerment of women in the country.
The Representative of the body in Nigeria, Beatrice Eyong made the call recently during the organisation’s Media Forum held at the Conference Hall of the UN House in Abuja, for the aforementioned sects from across Nigeria.
The session with the theme “Escalating Media Action for Women’s Empowerment” was geared towards accessing the progress made after the last meeting of the participants with the organisation in December 2023.
In her keynote address, the UN Women Representative, Eyong commended the participants on their efforts so far in fostering for the inclusion of women in the affairs of the country.
Addressing the media practitioners, she noted, “If there is anything we know, it is that the media is key in setting the agenda and shaping direction on issues of national interest. The media is a tool that has been used over time in educating the society and accelerating behavioural change which is one of the reasons we are making progress in tackling the issue of gender inequality in the society, Eyong averred’.
Dwelling on the issue of women empowerment, the UN Women representative opined that there has been some significant changes recorded in Nigeria, when it comes to women been envisaged in the helm of affairs.
“According to her,” In the private sector, we have 22% of the decision making positions being manned by the women.
“In kaduna and ķwara States, and some other States, we also have legislators who have adopted the Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill. In this current Government the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives are open to gender equality than before, as we were at the National Assembly recently talking about women’s representation which was organized by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“We have the Violence Against Persons prohibition Acts, VAPP Law being adopted by 35 States, and the Child’s Right Act adopted by all the States in the federation. Some State Governments, the likes of Adamawa, Cross River, Borno, Lagos and Sokoto are also showing interest by inquiring what it will cost to implement the VAPP Law in their states.
“In Edo and Kwara States, we have 33% and 50% of women respectively seated together with men in the Assemblies making positive decisions pertaining the welfare of the people.
“We have the HeforShe Network; Male folk champions standing up for gender equality and women’s empowerment headed by the Executive Director of International Press Center (IPC), Mr Lanrewaju Arogundade . They already have strong networks in the 16 States of the federation. Also, for first time in the continent, we have a private sector that is desirous of promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment which is a big plus to the quest, ‘ Eyong disclosed’.
She further revealed how the UN WOMEN in Nigeria has strengthened more than 1000 women led organisations to raise women voices, vigorated Zonal and State Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Coordination Mechanisms to spearhead issues of gender equality and Women’s empowerment in their various states.
Eyong also disclosed that they recorded huge success during the 16 Days of Activism (advocating against gender based violence) they had in December, as all the 36 States were involved in the advocacies.
She therefore concluded by saying, “We have really made some substantial amount of progress in the pursuit, and i believe if we continue to push further, we will achieve more, especially in the aspect of changing the mindset of communities where gender inequality is still entrenched; women voices subdued, the right and aspiration of young girls violated with impunity, Eyong stated’.
Going further in the forum, The Executive Director of International Press Center (IPC), Mr Lanrewaju Arogundade who reviewed the commitments and work plan of the participants in the last media partners conference, reiterated the need for the media to advocate for more enabling environment for greater women representation.
“We need to get the political parties to commit to affirmative actions in allocating certain positions to the women when it comes to elections. Government should also create an enabling environment for the women by ensuring that politics is devoid of violence as it is part of what discourages the folk. Also one of the challenges of women is raising resources, so the Civil Society Organizations should come up with programmes that will enable the women raise resources to participate in elections.”
Arogundade also advised women not to be deterred by the outcome of the 2023 election, but to push further in assuming their space in the spheres of life.
There was also Panel Discussion on “The Road to the 2027 General Elections: Improving Women’s Representation Through Media Intervention”, which was anchored by the UN Women National Coordinator, Patience Ekeoba.
During the session, the media practitioners were among others, advised to support women by de-commercializing news items for them; enough free airtime and slots should be given to the women.
The media they also urged to create contents that will propel women to desire to contest for elections and seek to man other positions even in the private sectors.
The panel further enjoined women to always have passion and be dedicated to whatever quest they want to surmount in life, as that is the only way they can attain heights.
They also advised the folk to endeavor to acquire those qualifications that will see them through seeking for a particular position.
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