Segun Babatunde Awofadeji, Bauchi
Bauchi State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has stressed that as a formidable media advocacy team, it has a strategic focus on promoting and protecting the wellbeing of women and children in the state in all aspects such as health, education, economic empowerment and self-space.
The NAWOJ Chairperson, Rashida Yusuf made the assertion at the opening of a Two day training for NAWOJ members organized by Bauchi State Government on Systematic Reporting on Social Investment centered around addressing issues of over dependent on government, self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
She stressed that, “As Journalists, our jobs normally requires time which, in turn, make us to juggle with our works and families.”
According to her, “It is on record that the Federal Government established the Social Investment Programme in 2016, with the aim of addressing poverty and hunger across the country. We are all living witnesses on the impact made by the social investment programmes initiated by the federal government and supported by the Bauchi State Government.”
Bauchi NAWOJ also commended the free loans granted to petty traders by federal government through its social investment program, stating that,”We also saw how the programme made significant impact in the lives of millions of ordinary Nigerians.”
Rashid Yusuf added that “We also appreciate Bauchi State Government through the office of the First Lady in collaboration with the State Ministry of Women Affairs, Child Development and Social Welfare for impacting positively in the lives of women, particularly in the rural areas through various policies and programmes and, in particular, trainings in different skills and cash support to enhance their businesses for them to be self-reliant.”
“Furthermore, the social investment programme in the state and the country has played a key role in accelerating the attainment of the entire 17 UN Sustainable Goals in the country. Among these goals are ending poverty and hunger as well as creating decent jobs for women and young girls, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting learning opportunities for all,” She stressed.
She also said that,”With these good initiatives by successive and present administrations in the States and Nigeria, the need for reducing over dependence on the governments cannot be over-emphasized.”
The NAWOJ Chairperson added that, “Let me take this opportunity to make a passionate appeal to all of us here to key into any available social investment program in order to reduce total dependence on governments at all levels.”
According to her, “Embracing initiatives in entrepreneurship after our official office hours can lead to our self-reliance which will culminate into becoming masters of ourselves with the little resources in our disposal.”
“We are all aware that things are becoming harder for governments at all levels, the burden is too heavy for her. We must strive harder to become self –reliant in order to achieve the desired goal,” She also said.
Rashid Yusuf stressed that, “I wish to once again appreciate Bauchi State Government the organizers of this program and assure you of women’s journalists’ readiness to key into this laudable initiative to reap its benefits.”
“As we arrive for this mission, I urge you all to keenly listen to all the presentations as well as participate actively so that you can reap so much for yourselves and the state in general.
At this juncture, I wish to remind you all on the important role journalist occupy in achieving self-reliance and encouraging entrepreneurship among ourselves and people of Bauchi State and Nigeria in general,” She urged.
She concluded,”While wishing you a fruitful deliberation, NAWOJ Bauchi State chapter, is assuring all members its readiness to continue to partner for the development of Bauchi State and Nigeria as a whole.”
In her presentation, Chairperson of Plateau State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ayuku Manasseh Pwaspo said that NAWOJ came into being in a bid to give female Journalists a voice in a male dominated profession and to gain the required recognition for women in the profession.
She added that NAWOJ also provides a platform for female journalist to mainstream gender in news stories and program as well as raise awareness on the need to protect women and girls from all forms of abuse as it has over the years been recognized as the credible voice on the issues concerning women in our communities and Nigeria as a whole.
The NUJ Chairperson added that the Sustainable Development goal 5 on Gender Equality is focused on pursuing real and sustained gender equality in all aspects of the lives of women and girls.
The SDG is focused on addressing the end to gender disparities, eliminating violence against women and girls eliminating early and forced marriages securing equal participation and opportunities for leadership, universal access to sexual and reproductive rights.
According to her, “It is pertinent to note that gender equality is linked to sustainable development and a key component towards the realization of human rights. To achieve gender equality, women and men are expected to enjoy the same opportunities and rights in the society.”
Ayuku Manasseh stressed that,”Gender advocates are of the opinion that equality prevents violence against women and girls. It must be noted that gender equality is a human right and essential for economic growth and national development.’
She added that,”Globally, gender equalities remain entrenched in every society. Girls from birth face discrimination and deprivation and in some societies are not candidates for formal education and economic empowerment. Women often bear the brunt of childbearing and household duties especially in periods of crisis. They suffer violence and discrimination; they lack access to basic education and healthcare. Women also lack access to decent work and in some instances, they face segregation at work and wage disparity with men.”
Other challenges are the patriarchy settings of our society, stereotypes, early marriage, socio-cultural practices, lack of finance and empowerment among others.
There also Challenges of insecurity, climate change and economic downturn has continued to escalate the poverty burden especially in Nigeria.
The NUJ Chairperson stressed that, “With the number of out of school children at about 10.5 million, according to UNICEF, it therefore means that a lot of women and girls will lack basic amenities in their day to day living.”
According to her, “Most disturbing is despite their numerical strength, they are under-represented in political and economic decision making which have continued to be hindrances to their growth and development. According to the UN women, 1 in every 10 women globally lives in extreme poverty which goes to show that women are more affected by poverty.”
She further lamented that, ‘The rights of women have continued to come under threat even in places where tremendous progress has been achieved. For the purpose of this presentation, we will take a look at political participation and leadership.”
Ayuku Manasseh stressed that,”In Plateau, 4 of the 19 Commissioners are women. No female member in the State House of Assembly at present due to the court ruling that removed two female Legislators. Of all the Local Government Transition Committees, no woman is occupying that position.
House of representatives 17 out of 360, against 13 female members in the ninth assembly. At the Senate, women occupy 3 out of 109 seats.”
She also stated that during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, out of the 43 ministers, only 7 were women while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed 9 women out of 47 ministers saying,”Let us take a look at our Union, particularly the NUJ, how many State Chairpersons are Women?
The challenges women face can only be addressed if more investments are made in women and girls while concerted efforts must be made in these areas to accelerate progress of women and girls in our society.
Increase awareness on the importance of investing in proven solutions which reduces gender inequalities and increase women’s participation.
Encourage partnerships and policies that go beyond surface interventions to a more enduring investment in women eg. Empowerment program by politicians, Improve enrolment and retention of girls in school and other skills. Education, including skills has been recognized as one of the important contributors to the process of economic empowerment.
Empower women in agriculture to improve welfare, increase income and curb hunger stressing that, “We must address gender inequality in women’s ownership for agricultural land.
Access to financial resources to startup and grow their businesses. Improve women’s political representation.”
Be strategic about mentorship programs or initiatives for women and girls.
When women journalists have equal rights to access, own and use resources, they can invest in themselves by improving their wellbeing, education, or start a business.
Investing in women will reduce gender-based violence, increase political and social participation and leadership. Investing in women will accelerate the transition towards a more gender equal society.
Ayuku Manasseh concluded that, “The time is now for NAWOJ to make the necessary investments in themselves and demand for a more enduring action by policy makers to change the narrative.” END
