Women Situation Room Nigeria (WSRN), in collaboration with Women International League for Peace and Freedom, has emphasized the need for Nigerian Media to always amplify women’s voices and creating more inclusive political landscapes.
Representative of Non Governmental Organization, Mrs Tosin Apiriola-Ajayi made this assertion while paying Courtesy Call on the Executive Members of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Kwara State Council at Press Centre in Ilorin.
Mrs Apiriola-Ajayi who is of Women Environment and Youth Empowerment Initiative, WOYODEV, and the State Coordinator, WSRN, Kwara State chapter lamented that Women politicians have been subjected to scrutiny based on their appearance, personal lives, and perceived likability, rather than their qualifications, capacities, policies, and achievements.
She described Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Violence Against Women (VAW) in Elections as serious human rights violations that undermine democracy, equality, and justice.
According to her, these forms of violence include labeling women in mainstream politics as prostitutes, commercialization of the political process, political violence, systemic discrimination
She advocated women inclusion in leadership recruitment in Nigeria and enumerated a plethora of sensitization awareness and trainings carried out by WSRN, including need to ensure women are free from all forms of violence.
The Women Rights NGO also highlighted key findings from Media Monitoring Report of the WSRN platform and that of Election Observation held between the year 2022 and 2023 vis-a-vis Women Rights initiatives to safeguard their dignity
Mrs Apiriola-Ajayi solicited media partnership with journalists in Kwara State to aid the Network in projecting its activities to the world. She further highlighted the efforts of the Network beyond Kwara, stating platform is actively working in over ten (10) States as led by Prof. Joy Onyesoh, the National Coordinator of WSRN.
Responding, Chairman, Kwara State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mallam Abdul-lateef Lanre Ahmed acknowledged the role of the NGO in protecting Women Rights
Mallam Ahmed noted NUJ under his leadership is gender balanced as women occupy critical positions within the Executive.
He applauded the Women Environment and Youth Development Initiative for shouldering the responsibility of promoting women leadership and Fundamental Rights and assured partnership with the Women Situation Room in Nigeria at all times.
