Nigerian journalists have been charged to intensify efforts at promoting women’s participation in politics and governance.
A resource person, Mrs Adebisi Adetunji, gave the charge at a training programme organised for journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State by ARDA Development Communication Incorporated and United Nations Women.
The seminar was themed; “Representation Matters: How Media Should Portray Women in Political Leadership and Governance in Nigeria.”
Adetunji frowned at the current low number of women in both National and state assemblies despite their numerical strength.
She urged journalists to design relevant women-oriented programmes showcasing outstanding successful women who have contributed immensely to the development of the Nigeria to encourage others to take up leadership positions at all levels.
She identified culture, religion, funding, inferiority complex and discrimination as major impediments to women’s desire to take up leadership in the country.
Adetunji advised media outlets to always package divergent messages addressing specific women’s political barriers to create awareness to change the narrative.
She equally challenged women to actively engage in politics with zeal and resilience to earn their rightful positions.