By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
AN URGENT need for journalism to prioritize women’s voices and experiences emerged as a key highlight at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism’s (WSCIJ) 10th-anniversary event for its Report Women! Programme.
Veteran journalist Olusegun Osoba emphasized this point.
Speaking on Thursday, October 3, 2024, in Lagos, Osoba asserted that women should be both subjects and storytellers in news narratives.
The launch of the Report Women! Experts source guide aims to combat the underrepresentation of women in newsrooms by providing journalists access to a diverse pool of female experts.
This initiative seeks to elevate women’s representation in national discussions. Osoba praised trailblazing women, highlighting their vital roles as role models for aspiring female journalists.
Motunrayo Alaka, WSCIJ’s Executive Director, noted that connecting journalists with female experts can enhance women’s visibility in the news and improve journalism quality.
She referenced United Nations data indicating it may take 140 years for women to achieve equal representation in leadership roles and 67 years to close the gender gap in traditional media.
Dickens Olewe from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation commended the WSCIJ’s decade-long efforts and applauded the Report Women! initiative for advancing gender equality in media.
Chris Isiguzo, President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, echoed this sentiment, calling the source guide a transformative tool for including more female voices in national conversations.
Other dignitaries, including Michel Deelen, Consul General of the Netherlands, and Julie McKay, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate, stressed the necessity of amplifying women’s contributions to media and governance.
Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, Executive Director of Women in Management, Business, and Public Service, acknowledged WSCIJ’s contributions over the past decade.
During a panel discussion, Amina Salihu from the MacArthur Foundation addressed the barriers women face, including the “poverty of time,” which complicates their engagement in media.
Alaka encouraged journalists to leverage the source guide to connect with women leaders and advocate for their presence in decision-making roles.
Kabir Alabi, representing the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), highlighted the need for diverse sources in journalism to ensure balanced reporting.
The event also featured a documentary showcasing the achievements of the Report Women! programme and a demonstration of the expert source guide website.
