In a significant step towards promoting gender equity and empowering women, media executives, representatives from media umbrella bodies, and media regulatory institutions have endorsed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with UN Women at a roundtable meeting in Lagos.
The strategic partnership, attended by media leaders from the South Western region, aims to strengthen media interventions and create a robust platform for advancing women’s leadership in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 5, Target 5.5, which focuses on ensuring women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all decision-making levels.
According to a statement by UN Women on Friday, the MOU reaffirms the organization’s commitment to enhancing women’s leadership roles in Nigeria and investing in socio-economic initiatives that improve the standard of living for women and girls. The signatories include the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, the National Broadcasting Commission, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, the Nigeria Television Authority, The Punch Newspapers, The Guardian newspapers, the Nigerian Democratic Report, Raypower FM, Blueprint Newspaper, among others.
The MOU, titled ‘Compact of Commitment,’ was a key highlight of the roundtable, which featured solidarity statements, a welcome address, and an engaging panel discussion. The agreement focuses on several areas, including providing platforms for women in legislative and leadership roles, enhancing women’s economic empowerment, preventing violence against women and girls, and advocating for increased representation of women in elective positions at both federal and state levels.
Solidarity statements were delivered by key figures including Ms. Amina Oyagbola of Women In Successful Careers (WISCAR), Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and Mr. Eze Anaba, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. Each speaker emphasized the urgent need to invest resources and platforms to promote women’s issues and address harmful social norms hindering women’s advancement.
UN Women’s Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, reiterated the organization’s dedication to supporting women’s resilience and professional growth. “UN Women believes that investing in women is investing in the very fabric of society. No nation can truly thrive if women are left behind,” she said, outlining the organization’s focus on evidence-based advocacy, economic empowerment, and policy support.
The event also included a panel discussion titled “The Role of Digital and Mass Media in Promoting Women’s Political Inclusion and Representation in Nigeria,” moderated by Mrs. Motunrayo Alaka of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ). Panelists and media executives shared insights on overcoming challenges to women’s representation in political and economic spheres, highlighting the media’s crucial role in shaping an inclusive future.
This collaborative effort between UN Women and media executives marks a pivotal moment in advancing women’s leadership and representation in Nigeria, underscoring the critical role of media in promoting an equitable and inclusive society.
