Participants at the training
Journalists have been tasked to hold government and other stakeholders accountable on issues of gender inclusivity especially for Persons With Disabilities, (PWDs), women and girls.
Executive Director, Gender Strategy Advancement International, (GSAI), Adara Sydney-Jack, made the call at a one-day Inclusive Investigation Training on Accountability in Accountability in Governance for Reporters and Editors, organised by Gender Accountability and Inclusivity in Nigeria, (GAIN), in partnership with GSAI and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa, (OSIWA), yesterday in Abuja.
She notes the importance of promoting equal rights and opportunities to change narratives, cultivate culture that values and celebrates inclusion.
“Over the years, GSAI has been at the forefront of advocacy for increased women’s participation in governance, gender-friendly policies, and amplifying women’s voices in the civic space.
“GSAI’s mission is centered on five pillars; gender advocacy, accountability, gender justice, gender driven research, and partnership, aiming to position women’s rights as a national priority through the powerful tool of media.
“We gather here for a crucial purpose that involves the inclusive training of 40 reporters and editors from across the country across various media platforms: TV, radio, print, and online.
“The core objectives of this training include to increase reportage and editorials on the performance and shortcomings of the government from a gender accountability perspective, empower media professionals to independently promote and advance women’s rights, gender accountability, and hold the government accountable for its actions,” she said.
According to her, the training also aims “To encourage and support story projects and reports that shed light on the lapses in the performance of public office holders, as well as the political and economic performance of Nigeria.”
Chairman Nigerian Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Patrick Osadebamwen, observed that journalists have the sacred task of highlighting women’s issues and issues of gender inclusivity even when being often perceived as anti- government.
Represented by his deputy, Timothy Choji, he said “The training sessions are skewed to open your eyes and storytelling mind to see the lapses in genuinely designed policies and programme of government national or subnational that would need to be tweaked for good.”
Dele Atunbi, Legal Practitioner and Head of Judiciary Desk, Nigerian Television Authority, (NTA), said there is need for the government to provide an enabling environment for gender equality. ” Government should be held accountable and responsible for issues on women and children.”
Also, Dr. Inya Ode, a gender advocate and media personality urged the media to adhere to the ethics of the profession, when reporting gender related matters. Ode, called on the media to use their platforms to sensitise the public on eliminating stereotypes against PErsons with Disabilities (PWDs).
“Our stories should engender positive change in the society and as gatekeepers in the field, we should readily inform and cause positive transformation.”
in her presentation, Susan Kelechi-Ihuoma, one of the facilitators said, “Let’s make Nigeria a place where disability inclusion is the norm and women of all abilities can thrive and contribute to our nation’s growth and prosperity. Together, we can turn this vision into a reality.”
Renowned journalism, Amos Dunia, said “We should be determined to write stories that will touch the lives of the common man and we should be more gender inclusive.”
The Guardian
