The United Nations has called on the media to redouble its efforts in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment
Ms Beatrice Eyong, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, made who made the call during the inaugural UN-Women Media Partners Conference in Abuja 2023 said such step is crucial to eliminate gender-based violence.
Ms Eyong emphasized the pivotal role of the media in behavioral change and urged a reassessment of its efforts in spotlighting women’s issues.
The UN Representative urged media practitioners to reshape the narrative around myths and social norms that impede gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“We needed a media conference to bring the multimedia together so that collectively, they can re-access their efforts so far in bringing women’s issues to the front burner and changing the narrative around myths and social norms that are barriers to gender equality and women’s empowerment”
“We want you to rise from this conference with a work plan. A work plan that outlines significant things the media can do to improve gender equality and women’s empowerment. A workplan that says, this and this is what we will do to change the narrative around women’s issues through electronic, print, and digital media”, Eyong said.
Aisha Ibrahim, the President of the National Association of Women Journalists, affirmed the association’s proactive stance in supporting the campaign.
Former acting Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Ms. Maria Odeh, encouraged media organizations to leverage new media platforms for optimal performance.
In a related development, the UN Women is seeking more collaboration with the traditional Institution across the country to eliminate Gender-based violence and other related crime for rapid development in the society through women and the girl child.
Ms Beatrice Eyong stated this in Abuja at a Media Dialogue with traditional leaders with the theme “Investing in cultural transformation: The role of Traditional Leaders in transforming harmful social norms and Practices”.
