STER, OA Foundation Host Media Roundtable to Amplify Women’s Political Representation

Ajide Felix November 26, 2024November 26, 2024 0 Comments

Stand to End Rape Initiative (STER) and the Olu Adeyemi Foundation (OA Foundation) convened a high-level media roundtable in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Tuesday, in a bid to promote gender inclusivity in Nigerian politics.

The event, held at NOKTEL Hotel, In a bid to promote gender inclusivity in Nigerian politics together media professionals, including the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and General Managers of Diamond FM and Radio Kwara, to explore strategies for using the media to amplify women’s voices in governance.

Speaking at the forum, Edith Isiek, Research, Monitoring, and Learning Officer at STER, highlighted the crucial role of media engagement in addressing the underrepresentation of women in politics.

“This initiative is about ensuring every Nigerian woman’s voice is heard and their rights to political participation upheld. The media holds the key to making this a national priority,” she stated.

Olusegun Adeyemi, Founder and CEO of the OA Foundation, called for support for the proposed Extra Seat Bill, which seeks to reserve seats for women in state and national legislatures.

He stressed the transformative potential of the initiative. “This initiative is not just about filling seats but about transforming governance through the inclusion of women. The media plays a pivotal role in breaking barriers and advocating for this systemic change,” he said.

Discussions at the event centered on the implications of the Extra Seat Bill in addressing women’s underrepresentation and the critical role of storytelling in reshaping public perceptions. Media leaders at the roundtable resolved to launch campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the bill and other challenges facing women in politics.

Goodwill messages from stakeholders, including NUJ leaders and representatives of Diamond FM and Radio Kwara, reiterated their commitment to championing gender equality through the media.

Participants also agreed on the need to focus not only on increasing the number of women in politics but also on empowering them to take on impactful roles in governance.

The event concluded with a joint pledge by media practitioners to prioritize stories that inspire inclusive governance and provoke positive action for gender equality. Both STER and the OA Foundation reaffirmed their commitment to empowering women through advocacy and community engagement initiatives.