Fostering partnership between media, women in politics

The media is one of the  critical stakeholders in the political process through its coverage of governance or the  political process and its actors.The Interim National Women Leader of the All Progressive Congress, Barrister Sharon Ikeazor in collaboration with the International Republican Institute (IRI) yesterday organized a workshop for women in the APC and those […]

The media is one of the  critical stakeholders in the political process through its coverage of governance or the  political process and its actors.
The Interim National Women Leader of the All Progressive Congress, Barrister Sharon Ikeazor in collaboration with the International Republican Institute (IRI) yesterday organized a workshop for women in the APC and those in the media to foster partnership between them and improve women’s participation in politics.
National Secretary of the party, Alhaji Tijjani Tumsah encouraged women to become active participants in the polity saying men are struggling with leadership and it is important for women to come and get the leadership of the country under control.
He said APC is a gender friendly party and it is trying as much as possible to keep up with the National Gender Policy adding,“ we are not doing women a favour by this but establishing their right because if we don’t, we lose.”    
Interim National Woman Leader of the APC, Barrister Sharon Ikeazor said as women in politics they play a crucial role in the success of the party and the society at large adding that by developing innovative and courageous new media practices, female politicians can set themselves apart from the rest and overcome the challenges.
She said: “The media engagement would afford APC women the opportunity to learn how to engage the media in their political party activities and we recognize the media as our strategic partners.
“ The media directly influences the opinion of voters. You the media play a very big role in the formation of our national politics. The way the media reports news on a politician will affect what people think about them.”
The interim women leader said knowing how to use the media is a way to raise the profile of marginal groups and issues including women and women rights.
Resident Programme Officer of IRI Nigeria in his presentation on “The pros and cons of working with the media” told women in politics that their target media are reporters, bloggers and news organizations that are interested in political news or news with a particular focus on women. In addition if they are contacting local media , they should make sure their story fits their specific area of coverage which is women or politics.
He said press releases affords them opportunity to influence the news ,raise the profile of their sector and specific work area, adding they shouldn’t call a press conference unless they really have something important to state or announce, or have something important the media want to hear, and they shouldn’t repeat old news but only issue new information.
He advised the women to use the social media wisely as it can destroy them and their party.
Deputy Director News, Voice of Nigeria (VON) , Ms  Hajiya Sani  in her key note address on “ Propagating women participation in politics : Role of Media Women” said as women they have a duty to begin to give concrete support encouragement, opportunities and assistance to our fellow women adding that women in the media are willing and ready to play their part to propagate the ideals that they wish for their societies.
Ms Ene Edeh , a media consultant also urged both women in the media and those in politics to passionately work hand in hand to ensure women’s interest in politics and other areas are well projected .
Deputy President of National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole,  advised women politicians to make themselves readily available to the media saying they should not misconstrue every call for interviews or coverage by journalists as a monetary venture on the part of the journalist.
After further deliberations by the discussants from the media and women in politics , a communiqué was released at the end of the workshop with the following recommendations:
Recognizing the role of media in a democratic process, the women in APC will develop and improve relationship and partnership with media.
To improve information sharing between media and women in politics for enhanced  visibility of women in politics.
The office of the woman leader will develop a media policy for promotion of APC women in line with the party’s directives and objectives.
Stronger links and mentoring opportunities will be developed in APC for enhanced participation of young women in the party.
The Young Women Forum will use social media wisely and thoughtfully to promote the affairs of the party and endear other young women to the party.
That the party leadership support efforts towards promoting the role of women in party activities and structure.