By: Mnena Iyorkegh, Abuja
UN Women has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with media executives to escalate media advocacy and provide a platform to enhance gender equality, prevent violence against women and girls, and promote women’s empowerment in Nigeria.
The signing of the MoU took place during a UN Women roundtable engagement with media executives in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Speaking at the event, Beatrice Eyong, UN Women’s Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, lamented that the representation of women in Nigeria’s parliament, where critical policies and laws are made, is just about 4%, with only 17% serving as ministers in the federal executive council. She noted that millions of women and girls will not escape extreme poverty by 2030 unless current trends are shifted.
“These are challenges that we must all join hands to surmount. This is where you, as media practitioners, come in. But the question is, how much is being done by the media to advocate for more women’s representation and inclusion in appointive and elective positions in Nigeria? What can the media do differently to improve the chances of more women joining politics and winning in the next elections? These are challenges we must all respond to as women and gender champions in the media sector,” Eyong said.
“UN Women invests in enhancing the personal resilience and professional development of women to increase their contributions in leadership, economic growth, peace, security, and in the humanitarian nexus. UN Women believes that investing in women is equivalent to investing in the architecture of society. No nation can develop and prosper if women are excluded. Our support is guided by shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision of the government and the people of Nigeria.” She added.
On his part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, reiterated his commitment to reducing inequalities and enhancing the participation of all genders in the socio-economic and political development of the country. The Speaker, represented by Fatima Talba, Chairman of the House Committee on Women in Parliament, noted, “The House has also signed MoUs with various women advocacy groups, including the Office of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (UN-CEDAW), to enhance legislation and other interventions on issues of women’s economic and political inclusion. The bill to create special seats in the National Assembly and State Assemblies also passed its second reading on July 10, 2024. It is important to underscore that the inclusion of women in governance is not just a matter of equity but a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable development, as outlined in the SDGs.”
The Speaker lamented the low number of women participating in parliament and urged the media to hold the government accountable on issues related to women. “Currently, the representation of women in Nigeria’s parliament is alarmingly low, standing at less than 5%. This situation is unacceptable and must change by the next electoral cycle. The inclusion of women in decision-making processes leads to more comprehensive perspectives on issues affecting our society. The media has a crucial role to play in highlighting barriers to women’s inclusion, advancing these efforts, and holding us accountable while providing insights into where progress is being made and where more effort is needed,” he added.
Mrs. Aisha Ibrahim, National Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), emphasized the media’s role in supporting women in leadership. “In NAWOJ, we advocate for gender inclusion across all 36 state chapters and in the FCT. Our zonal leadership also emphasizes that women’s education, empowerment, and inclusion are key to national growth and stability. Our empowerment initiatives include providing the girl-child with a new orientation regarding their fundamental rights and the need for self-actualization,” she said.
Women’s groups at the event unanimously recommended that the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government consider amending the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 rather than repealing it.
The roundtable engagement with media executives was organized by UN Women.
