Media executives from the southern part of Nigeria, representatives of media umbrella bodies and media regulatory institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UN Women towards escalating media actions to promote gender equity and women empowerment in the country.
They signed the MoU at a “Roundtable With Media Executives on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Nigeria,” held in Lagos on Friday.
The signing of the MOU, tagged ‘Compact of Commitment,’ was the key highlight of the roundtable with media executives, media regulatory bodies, and Civil Society Organisations.
The signatories include the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, the National Broadcasting Commission, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, the Nigeria Television Authority, and about 30 other media outfits including print, electronic and online platforms.
In her welcome address, the UN Women’s Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, emphasized the organization’s dedication to bolstering women’s resilience and professional development.
“UN Women believes that investing in women is investing in the very fabric of society. No nation can truly thrive if women are left behind. Our support is grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision with the Government and people of Nigeria,” she said.
She further elaborated on UN Women’s thematic focus areas, including evidence-based advocacy, economic empowerment, capacity-building programmes, policy advisory support, and technical assistance to government and relevant stakeholders to advance gender justice and women’s empowerment.
The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, Eze Anaba, asked women groups and organisations to at all times weaponise issues around women as part of the drive to promote gender equity in the country.
He expressed worry that Nigerian women were silent over a statement credited to former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, where described Governor Godwin Obaseki’s wife as “childless.”
“That (statement) should shape the narrative of the (governorship) election. But where are the women?,” Anaba asked.
The Founder of Women In Successful Careers (WISCAR), Ms. Amina Oyagbola, challenged the Nigerian media to be the needed transformative force to “dismantle systemic barriers and allow women thrive.”
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