By Ogonnaya Umeham, Abuja.
Women Journalists have been tasked to work actively to amplify women’s voices in their reportage in order to address the issue of imbalance and foster more inclusive representative in their report.
The Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), FCT, Mrs Bassey Ita Ikpang said this recently in a speech she presented to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day Celebration in collaboration with Network for Women Journalists with the theme: “together ensure inclusivity, loud her voice” held at Ya’ardua Center in Abuja.
The media she noted has the power to profoundly shape the narratives and influence public discourse adding that notwithstanding, historically women’s voices have often been marginalized or over looked in mainstream media coverage.
In order to actively amplify women’s voices in their reportage, the NAWOJ Chairperson reeled out ways it could be achieved.
One of the ways Mrs Bassey explained was to seek out diverse perspectives noting that as Journalists, ” you must proactively seek out female voices to include in your reporting. This means going beyond the usual pool of sources and experts to ensure a diversity of perspectives”.
The NAWOJ Boss however called on women Journalists to reach out to women from different backgrounds, professions, and experiences to provide a richer and more understanding of the issue at hand.
She further advised them to elevate women as experts and challenge the traditional notion of expertise by actively seeking out and highlighting women’s expertise in various fields .
“Whether it is politics, science, business, or culture, ensure that women’s insight and knowledge are prominently featured in your reporting”, she explained.
This she continued not only help combat gender stereotypes but also enriches the quality of journalism.
She therefore called on them to cover women’s issues comprehensively adding that women issues deserve thorough and sensitive coverage,” whether it is reproductive rights, gender-based violence, workplace discrimination, or women’s leadership, dedicate the necessary time and resources to delve into these topics with depth and empathy.
In conclusion she said ” by incorporating diverse voices, you can provide a more comprehensive and inclusive portrayal of the issues you cover.
As journalists play crucial role in shaping public discourse and influencing societal attitudes, actively working to amplify women’s voices in their reportage, they can contribute to a more inclusive, equitable, and representative media landscape.
Amplifying women’s voices is a fundamental step towards building a more just and equitable society and not just a matter of journalistic integrity”.