By Abubakar Yunusa
UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS,Ms. Beatrice Eyong has called on journalists to change the mindsets of communities where gender inequality is deeply rooted.
She stated that only 22 percent of decision-making positions in the private sector are held by women.
Eyong made this call at the UN Women Nigeria Media Forum 2024 in Abuja, yesterday.
She said: “As journalists, we need to change the mindsets of communities where gender inequality is entrenched, women’s voices are subdued, and the rights and aspirations of women and girls are violated with impunity.”
She revealed that as part of progress made in sensitizing the citizenry on gender equality and women’s empowerment, 35 states in Nigeria have adopted the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.
She noted that states such as Adamawa, Ebonyi, Lagos, Sokoto, and Cross Rivers had gone ahead to develop costed Action Plans for the implementation of the VAP Act in these states.
It is worth recalling that the main thrust of the law is to eliminate violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons, provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims, and ensure punishment for offenders and other related matters.
As part of the success stories recorded over time, Eyong disclosed that HeForShe Networks have been established in 16 states across the country to drum up support for gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, therefore, tasked media practitioners to be more proactive in educating the masses and enforcing behavioral change.
She further underscored the indispensable role of the media in society, adding that “the media is key to setting the agenda on issues of global interest.”
One of the facilitators of the event, Mr. Lanrewaju Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Council (IPC), urged journalists to work assiduously in promoting women’s political participation to ensure adequate representation of women both in elective and appointive positions in Nigeria.
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