Sonaiya advocates for greater visibility for women in politics

The CEO of Women Radio, Mrs. Toun Sonaiya, has advocated for adequate and accurate publicity for women in politics, even in instances of gender discrimination.

Sonaiya made the call at a 2-day media training for political reporters organized by Women Radio with support from United Nations Women and the Government of Canada in Ilorin on Thursday.

According to her, female politicians and leaders are not given the same adequate media coverage as their male counterparts.

Sonaiya, who spoke on "The 50:50 Strategy: Inclusive, Responsive, and Balanced Reporting," highlighted the importance of fair and balanced reporting on women in politics, especially as we draw nearer to the 2023 elections.

She said the media remains a powerful tool in shaping public perception and has a bigger role in emphasizing gender-based political issues.

She said further that such participation of women in politics through the media should be an integral part of editorials and features.

The CEO emphasized the need for the powerful Nigerian media to "embrace and practice gender equity and social inclusion for a sustainable media environment."

Participants include journalists with disabilities from print, radio, television, and digital media.

In his lecture, a media expert and CEO of MODISULT Media Concept, Mr. Abdulazeez Arowona, noted that women are key players in society, either as mothers, wives, or daughters in the home.

Citing reasons why women should be supported for political offices, Arowona said women are honest, trustworthy, authentic, supportive, and empathetic.

He said that religious bigotry, cultural and traditional factors, among others, are militating against women in the society.

He added that such are the attribute of good leaders who should hold political offices and can deliver good governance to the masses

Mrs. Binta Mora, one of the facilitators, charged the media to encourage women with positive reportage, even as the 2023 elections draw near.

According to her, as of October 2017, out of 193 UN countries, 11 had a woman serving as head of state, and 12 had a woman as head of government.

"Only nomadic countries are close to equal representation within parliaments, with women making up to 41 percent of their single-house parliament," she said.