By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
A Lagos based Non-governmental organisation, Women’s Voice and Leadership- Nigeria Project (WVL-Nigeria Project), with support from Actionaid Nigeria and funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) has organized One day media capacity building engagement on gender sensitive reporting for Media organisations in Lagos.
The workshop was held in Lagos on Wednesday, with journalists drawn from different media organizations in Lagos state to discuss gender sensitive reporting.
The training focused on the role of the media in promoting safe spaces and decent work for females in the public place,particularly in Lagos.
Mrs Vivivan Emesowum, founder of Grassroot People and Gender Development Center (GRADE) during her presentation said “the aftermath of the COVID-19 change the work environment in Nigeria, it came with high rate of unemployment and human generally needs to find a means of survival adding that women are now defying the societal orders by diving into what is predominantly the male profession.
Speaking further she said women are now found taking tricycles as a means of livelihood adding that the role of the media is to protect the women and make the society respect women taking up any profession they deem fit for livelihood.
Speaking further,the media plays a very significant role in shaping perceptions about women and men, which is why it is crucial that reporting avoids and challenges gender stereotypes.”
Barr. Titi Akisa also noted that, “Gender awareness and sensitivity in media is an issue that media practitioners should always take cognisance of in their newsroom saying that media organizations must make gender harmony to ensure that gender equality is seen when the media is putting information to the public.
Journalists must take note of the use of language when reporting gender sensitive issues.”