Towards providing an enabling environment for female journalists, a media group, Journalists for Christ (JFC) has tasked Media Organizations and managers to create safe space for women in the industry.
JFC, during its monthly fellowship which was organized to celebrate women in the media, highlighted some of the gaps in the media sector which is limiting female practitioners.
Speaking during the fellowship, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, President, JFC, stressed that media houses need to develop and implement Gender Policies that would address the challenges that female journalists face at work.
He noted that such policies will make provision for frameworks and platforms that would enable women to excel in the media space.
During the panel discussion, themed “Creating Safe Spaces for Female Journalists”, which was chaired by Betty Abah, Board Member, JFC and moderated by Blessing Oladunjoye, member, JFC, panelists highlighted the need for media managers to make the work space conducive for female professionals
One of the panelists, Mrs. Funmi Falobi, Editor, Social Development News said, “Media managers need to be intentional about ensuring that women attain leadership positions in the industry” also adding that “women must merit the positions we want by being exposed to trainings and collaborations.
“As female journalists, we need to be intentional to improve ourselves,” she added.
Speaking on the need to shape young practitioners, Mrs. Falobi mentioned that, “mentoring is very paramount and female veterans should provide mentorship for the younger ones.”
On her part, Abosede Adediran-Aderemi, Anhor, TVC News, who noted that female journalists must have goals and be intentional about achieving the goals, stressed that discrimination in the workspace is also a major concern that need to be addressed.
Panel Chair and Executive Director, CEE-HOPE Nigeria, Betty Abah noted that, “creating safe space for women in the media could be in relation to security, so, it is essential that as female journalists, we take our safety as a priority, either online or offline.”
