“SHE EXISTS” PROGRAM ADVANCES GENDER EQUITY AND EMPOWERS FEMALE JOURNALISTS IN MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE WITH SUPPORT FROM THE U.S. EMBASSY ABUJA

“SHE EXISTS” PROGRAM ADVANCES GENDER EQUITY AND EMPOWERS FEMALE JOURNALISTS IN MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE WITH SUPPORT FROM THE U.S. EMBASSY ABUJA

ERNEST OGEZI

The SHE EXISTS program continues to make its mark in Borno State as it empowers female journalists through intensive training. This initiative is part of a larger project covering all six states in the North East of Nigeria, aimed at reshaping the media landscape and promoting gender-sensitive reporting.

Hosted at the American Space within the University of Maiduguri’s Ramat Library, the event was a testament to the commitment to gender equity in media. Distinguished speakers delivered inspiring speeches that underscored the crucial role of women in media and highlighted the importance of equitable representation.

The Senior Information Specialist of the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Dr Aisha A. Gambari set the tone with an address that emphasized the significance of gender-sensitive reporting. Her speech illuminated the media’s role in shaping society’s understanding of gender issues and called for responsible journalism that supports women’s empowerment.

The highlight of the event was the moving speech delivered by Mr. Jamilu Yusuf, the Executive Director of the Organization for Innovation and Sustainable Development (OISD). He reiterated the program’s pivotal role in fostering gender equity within the media landscape and empowering female journalists to break barriers.

The SHE EXISTS program’s core goal is to equip female journalists with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Over the three-day training, participants were immersed in an intensive curriculum, covering various critical topics such as Advanced Reporting Techniques, Gender-Sensitive Reporting, Reporting Women in Violent Conflict Situations, Equity and Equality, and more.

Ernest Ogezi, the Program Manager of OISD, led the training sessions along with a team of media experts. The curriculum was meticulously designed to provide participants with the tools to drive transformative change within the industry, empowering them to report responsibly and fairly.

The success of this training event in Maiduguri follows similar sessions in Adamawa, Taraba, and Gombe, where almost 200 female journalists have benefited from the program. SHE EXISTS is making significant strides toward its goal of positively impacting the North East region, with the intent of reshaping the media landscape to be more inclusive and equitable.

The Maiduguri training took place in November 2023, and it received an enthusiastic response from participants and organizers. The success of the program is a testament to the collective commitment to empowering women in media, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.

The SHE EXISTS program is pioneering a path to advance gender equity and promote equal opportunities for women within the media sector. Through intensive training and skill development, the program empowers female journalists to play an active role in reshaping the media landscape, ensuring that representation is equitable and reporting is fair and unbiased. This initiative is setting a new standard for responsible journalism and gender-sensitive reporting.

With similar training sessions held in Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, and now Borno State, SHE EXISTS is advancing its mission to make a meaningful impact in the North East region, fostering a more inclusive and gender-equitable media landscape.

The SHE EXISTS program demonstrates that women in media have the power to challenge the status quo and redefine the industry’s standards. By providing female journalists with the tools and knowledge needed to excel in their careers, SHE EXISTS is contributing to a more equitable and responsible media landscape.

 

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