Laraba MUREY
In a significant step toward promoting gender accountability and inclusivity in Nigeria, Gender Strategy Advancement International, GSAI, has launched the Gender Accountability and Inclusivity in Nigeria, GAIN, Project.
Executive Director of GSAI, Dr. Adora Sydney-Jack, who was speaking at a one-day inclusive training on accountability in governance for Reporters and Editors, said the project aimed to increase reportage and editorials on the performance and shortcomings of the government from a gender accountability perspective.
She stated “we gather here for a crucial purpose that involves the inclusive training of 40 reporters and editors from across the country, across various media platforms: TV, radio, print, and online”
She emphasized that the training is “To empower media professionals to independently promote and advance women’s rights, gender accountability, and hold the government accountable for its actions.
“To encourage and support story projects and reports that shed light on the lapses in the performance of public office holders, as well as the political and economic performance of Nigeria.
“To achieve these objectives, seasoned media resource persons rich in media experience have been invited to facilitate and give lectures on critical topics centered on the GSAI five pillars that will foster the improved capacity of reporters and editors to produce both investigative and non-investigative reports, stories, and projects on gender accountability, gender-responsive budgeting, and the political inclusion of women.”
She explained that “20 trained reporters and editors will be commissioned to produce stories and reports on the government’s performance aiming to hold them accountable and promote advocacy for inclusive women’s political participation, economic inclusion, and development. It is expected that these reports will vividly illustrate the areas where the nation still to cover.
Additionally, “we will offer some mentorship and support to commissioned trained reporters and editors. During this time, they will delve deep into in-depth story projects that focus on the gender responsiveness of budget. They will also work on documentaries and projects highlighting the marginalization of women at the sub-national level, in their respective communities, council areas/LGAs, and states,” she said.
Also speaking on disability inclusion and women’s challenges, the Program Officer, Gender, at Inclusive Friends Association, Susan Kelechi, pointed that women with disabilities face unique challenges due to the double discrimination they often experience based on both gender and disability.
These challenges she said includes, limited access to education and employment opportunities, disparities in healthcare, increased vulnerability to violence and abuse, and a need for employment and advocacy.
She therefore noted that ensuring disability inclusion and legal protections was essential to addressing these issues and create a more inclusive society for women with disabilities.
She further stated that initiatives such as “Corporate diversity and inclusion programs that prioritize hiring and promoting women and people with disabilities was critical in addressing these challenges.
“Government policies and regulations that protect the rights of women and people with disabilities, such as the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 Social movements and advocacy groups that raise awareness and push for change in policies and societal attitudes towards women and people with disabilities.Will empower women with disabilities.”
On his part, Chairman, FCT Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Patrick Òsádébàmwén, urged the journalists to take advantage of the training programme to become an army of change and advocate of gender inclusion, growth and development in Nigeria.
“The sessions are skewed to open your eyes and storytelling mind to see the lapses in genuinely designed policies and programme of government, national or subnational, that would need to be tweaked for good.
“You will not be asked to become antagonistic to the government, but you would be carefully pointing out some issues that create a ceiling to optimum performance of the woman in your respective area of human endeavour. It is all about calling attention to these issues to be dismantled or improved on. This is our simple task and we hope to do this in our storytelling after today’s session”.
“This may be considered anti-government by those who do not want this to happen. Do not be surprised that such profiteers may be women. Wherever it is so perceived. Know that such resistance to support your work arises from selfish interest which your inquest would diantle for the greater good,” he said.
GSAI is non-profit organization with a goal to promote equal rights and opportunities for women in Nigeria. GSAI mission is centered on five pillars; gender advocacy, accountability, gender justice, gender driven research, and partnership, aiming to position women’s rights as a national priority through the powerful tool of media.