Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) has trained media practitioners on gender sensitive reporting to increase women representation in Leadership position.
This one-day gender sensitive reporting training for key media personnel to support women’s political participation was supported by Women’s Democracy Network (WDN).
During the training, Bukola Idowu, Executive Director of KDI, mentioned that, “If we achieve gender equality especially in the political space, Nigeria will likely spend 6.87% less of it’s current security spending.”
Idowu said according to UNDP research, Nigeria may also lose $8.55 billions by 2025 if the gender gap are not close in the labour force.
Idowu urged media practitioners to re-orientate the public on culture, religion and stereotype affecting women representation in the committee of the nation.
He added that “Culture, religion and stereotype are the major issues affecting women representation and the media is a powerful tool for re-orientation, re-engineering and education of the people from these issues.”
On the other hand, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, Executive Director Media Career Development Network (MCDN) advised media organizations to bridge the imbalance gap of gender sensitive reporting by portraying women rightly and use data to advocate.
Otufodunrin stated that, media need to avoid sexist and stereotypical reporting rather highlight the capacity and antecedents of women passionate about politics
“Media can do better by being intentional, seek out women involved in various levels of participation,” he added.
He also tasked female journalists to show examples of better reporting of women in politics when they have the opportunity to do so.
BONews and 24 other media houses were in attendance during the training.