Journalists in Nigeria have been urged to step up the reportage of issues of Gender Equality and activities that will promote the cause of engaging more women in governance at all levels.
The Chief Executive Officer of Stallion Times, Isiyaku Ahmed made the call at a one-day Media Training on Human Rights and Social Inclusion for 30 Kogi State working Journalists organized in collaboration with MacArthur Foundation.
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According to Ahmed, the training which was aimed at equipping Kogi Media Practitioners with the prerequisite knowledge on Gender Based Violence and to help them appreciate the need for gender equity and social inclusion in the State.
He also noted that the training was to advocate for human rights and social inclusion by reporting under reported cases particularly in hard to reach communities.
The Stallion Times CEO emphasized the need for journalists to make deliberate effort towards promoting social inclusion, effective reportage on gender-based violence and community deprivation using their various news media.
He expressed optimism that participants would be equipped with the necessary knowledge, techniques and strategies of stimulating neglected human rights and social inclusion stories over the years.
A Resource Person and Media Consultant, Dr Theophilus Abbah, who made presentations on “Gender Equity in Nigeria Issues, Challenges and Prospects,”and “Gender Based Violence Reporting,“ said the 1999 Constitution as amended “guarantees equality and right to freedom from discrimination.”
According to him, “Gender Equality is not only the human rights issue but essential to poverty reduction and improved living standards, sustainable economic growth, effective and accountable governance.”
He pointed out that women are important to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs and urged government at all levels to adopt Gender Equality in appointments and projects in MDAs.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to Kogi State Governor on Media, Hon. Isah Ismail promised that the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo will ensure a robust engagement with the Media as they are important for the survival of democracy especially in the current state of misinformation.
On the proposed Dialogue Mechanism to be introduced by Stallion Times, the Special Adviser promised to support the programme which is geared towards promoting social inclusion in the State.
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