http://www.newsportng.com.ng A non governmental organization, (NGO) under the auspices of Women Situation Room Nigeria, (WSRN) has urged media to focus their reportage more on women in the forthcoming general elections.
The Program Manager, WSRN Mr. Timothy Lawrence, made the call during a 1-Day Training on “Effective Media Sensitive Reporting and Strengthening Understanding of the Dynamics of SGBV”, on Thursday in Kaduna.
According to Timothy, the women counterparts are more vulnerable in every election period because of their fragile nature and societal norms.
While appealing to government to roll out better policies that would encourage women’s participation in politics, he noted that there are cultures in other countries of the world which gives women the opportunity to explore in their life’s pursuits rather than discriminating against them.
He added that women are systematically disadvantaged at all levels of the society especially in Nigeria where women’s voice and experiences in leadership are demeaned because they are not seen as those who can handle affairs.
Citing global citizens’ report on sexual Gender Based Violence, (SGBV) the program manager revealed that 40% of women Parliamentarian in Africa has been sexually harrassed while doing their job, while others are passing through series of abuses but finds it very difficult to open up due to fear of stigmatization.
He further appealed to Journalists to include information on how survivors can get assistance, do follow up stories and not to victim blame survivors.
The Program Manager called on women across the country not to be discouraged about the hardship poised on the country by both naira and fuel scarcity but should go out en masse and vote for credible candidates of their choice in the forthcoming elections.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the event, one of the resource person, Alhassan Bodi Felicia, said the program is aimed to engage the media because of their importance role in the society.
Felicia said the agenda setting theory of the press, will help to sensitize, educate and enlightened the general public, hence the need to engage and equipped them on the need to make women a priority.
David Vincent Ejeh, a participant in the event said the program is apt, stressing that enough lessons were learnt and would be given every necessary action to ensure Women are not left behind in the affairs of their country being it in politics or other endeavors of life.
