By Oni Femi (INN), Ekiti
Journalists have been charged to embark on reporting women politicians positively in media space.
This call was made during a two-day media training for political Reporters and Media by Women Radio 91.7 FM with support from UN women and Government of Canada.
The training was organised to promote gender inclusive reporting in politics, civil societies organizations and other sectors in Ekiti state.
A facilitator, Hon. Fola Richie Adewusi, a former Commissioner for Women Affairs, said stereotyping women in the societal space will not but derogate the value of women the more in governance and leadership. She charged all journalists and media reporters to continue to project women until the bias is broken.
Adewusi revealed how low in numbers women are being appointed in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). She used that angle to urge the reporters to promote more women in their reports.
She also reiterated the possibility of a 50-50 media reportage strategy, adding that reporters in their interviews and news should offer balanced reports to women in leadership.
Another speaker, Omozele Umoren said the goal of the training is to make reportage of women in various fields of human endeavours especially in politics viral art large.
The national vice president of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Mrs Ronke Afebioye, spoke on effective ways journalists and reporters could help in portraying the energy and strength of women and report her until something positive happens.
She hinted that one of the ways this can be achieved was to pay equal attention to women who are doing well in their chosen careers role to play in promoting gender inclusion.