Media experts have raised concerns on the poor media representation of female politicians at a two-day training for political reporters in Ilorin on Thursday 17 & Friday 18 November 2022.

Toun Okewale Sonaiya CEO Women Radio in her presentation on the “50:50 Strategy: An Inclusive, Responsive and Balanced Reporting” urged reporters to give adequate spotlight to female politicians like their male counterparts ahead of the 2023 election campaigns. Okewale Sonaiya charged media practitioners to intentionally report women candidates in Kwara and to shun negative cultural practices, religious bias and gender discrimination.

Hajia Binta Abubakar Mora of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Kwara State lamented the continuous gender disparity in the country as women are constantly marginalized and silenced on issues that concern them. Mora charged the media to support female candidacy with positive reportage.

Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona CEO of MODISULT Media Concept noted that women are essential key players with skills of good leaders who can deliver the dividends of good governance.

The journalists jointly agreed to be more accommodating with women who are reluctant to engage the media and ensure that women’s stories are given prominence in their reportage.

The training on gender reporting organized by Women Radio 91.7 with support from United Nations Women and the Government of Canada will train more journalists including persons with disabilities from print, electronic and digital media in Ekiti, Cross-River, Ebonyi and Borno states.

Esther Alaribe
Women Radio 91.7
news@wfm917.com