Ahead of the 2023 general elections, a 14-day training of political reporters on Portraying Women Candidates Positively commenced on Monday 7 November 2022 in Kaduna state. The training organised by Women Radio 91.7 with support from UNWomen and the Government of Canada is aimed at building and enhancing the capacity of journalists on political reportage on female candidates in a positive light. The capacity building which kicked off in Kaduna State for 2 days will hold in FCT, Ekiti, Kwara, Cross-River, Ebonyi & Borno states.
According to Toun Okewale Sonaiya, CEO Women Radio, female politicians and leaders are not given the adequate media coverage as their male counterparts. Okewale Sonaiya highlighted the importance of fair and balanced reportage of 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 emphasising gender-based political issues and as such participation of women in politics through the media should be an integral part of editorials and features” Sonaiya emphasised 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.