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Women journalists and media executives across Nigeria have called for renewed efforts to promote professionalism, gender inclusion, and stronger visibility for women in political reporting. This call came at a one-day consultative session organized by the International Press Centre (IPC) in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), with support from the European Union, under the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria – Phase 2 (EUSDGN II), held at Golden Tulip Hotel, Port Harcourt, on Saturday, May 24, 2025.
The high-level session brought together leaders of NAWOJ, female editors, producers, senior reporters, and media managers from across print, broadcast, and digital platforms. The aim was to boost the professional capacity of women journalists in democratic reporting, particularly in amplifying gender-sensitive issues and ensuring effective reportage of electoral reforms and the implementation of gender-related campaign promises.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC, stressed the need for female journalists to take the front seat in deepening Nigeria’s democracy through ethical and inclusive reporting. “Empowering women in media to report on politics with depth and sensitivity to gender issues will not only strengthen our democratic structures but also drive societal transformation,” he said.
Arogundade emphasized IPC’s continued commitment to supporting initiatives that build the capacity of women journalists and ensure increased visibility of women in politics.
Representing NAWOJ National Chairperson Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim, Dr. Lilian Okonkwo-Ogabu, the Deputy National Chairperson, commended IPC and the European Union for their support. She reiterated NAWOJ’s commitment to collaborating with relevant institutions and stakeholders to champion gender equity in the media space and beyond. “When we support women journalists to grow, we are also opening more space for inclusive political discourse and representation,” she noted.
In a keynote presentation titled “Utilizing Media Power to Promote Electoral Outcomes & Reforms Addressing Women’s Issues,” Dr. Titilayo Osuagwu, a senior lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, highlighted the media’s potential to shape political narratives. She challenged female journalists to pursue gender-sensitive reporting and push for media content that reflects women’s realities and amplifies their voices in governance.
Key Challenges Highlighted
Participants at the session shared troubling realities confronting women in the media and political landscapes:
Traditional norms and socio-political pressures still deter women from assuming leadership roles in journalism and public life.
Female journalists aspiring to political beats often lack professional support and structured mentorship opportunities, particularly from senior female colleagues.
A persistent fear of retaliation and ingrained societal biases discourage women from seeking leadership roles, limiting their professional growth.
Inadequate training, particularly in technical reporting areas like stenography, reduces the accuracy and productivity of some female journalists.
Structural barriers and workplace discrimination continue to hinder women’s advancement in newsrooms and political reporting.
Female politicians struggle to secure funding and institutional backing, thereby limiting their visibility and capacity to run effective campaigns.
Cultural expectations prevent women from fully engaging the media, even when they hold political office, which weakens their impact and public recognition.
Strategic Recommendations
To address these concerns, the session produced a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening the influence of women in media and politics:
1. Build Engagement Channels: NAWOJ and IPC should organize regular forums that bring elected female politicians face-to-face with female journalists to share experiences, promote their agenda, and develop coverage strategies.
2. Track Campaign Promises: Media bodies should work together to document and monitor the implementation of gender-related campaign promises at national and state levels using solution journalism frameworks.
3. Amplify Women’s Achievements: Female journalists and media executives are urged to deliberately report the successes of women in politics to positively shape public perception and encourage electoral support for women.
4. Advocate for Electoral Reforms: NAWOJ is encouraged to support legislative efforts promoting affirmative action, including reserved seats for women and independent candidacy initiatives.
5. Professional Development: Members should be encouraged to take advantage of online trainings and the upcoming virtual training platform to be developed by IPC and the Centre for Media and Society.
6. Tackle Newsroom Challenges: Regular forums should be held to address issues facing female media professionals in the newsroom and create opportunities for career growth.
7. Mentorship and Leadership Development: NAWOJ should establish mentorship programs where senior journalists guide younger ones, fostering talent development and confidence.
8. Awareness Campaigns: Launch of initiatives such as “I Can, We Can” to instill confidence and assertiveness among women professionals and political actors.
9. Create Gender-Focused Platforms: NAWOJ is encouraged to set up media platforms that prioritize women’s voices and bring attention to gender-related topics.
10. Ensure Safety of Women in Politics: Collaborate with security agencies to integrate women’s safety into media and political training, addressing threats that inhibit female participation.
11. Celebrate Women’s Achievements: A reward system should be developed to highlight and honor outstanding contributions by women in different fields to motivate and inspire others.
12. Empower Women Politicians: Female politicians should be supported through leadership training, media visibility initiatives, mentorship, and strategic resource mobilization.
Conclusion
The session concluded with a shared commitment to driving policy and legal reforms that promote inclusivity, equity, and the empowerment of women in both the media and political landscapes.
The communique was signed by:Mr. Lanre ArogundadeE, Executive Director, IPC and Dr. Lilian Okonkwo-Ogabu, Deputy National Chairperson, NAWOJ
The consultative session is part of broader activities under the EU-SDGN II programme, dedicated to enhancing media professionalism and strengthening democratic governance through strategic partnerships and targeted capacity-building initiatives.
