Biodun Busari
Nigeria’s most widely read newspaper, The PUNCH, and other media organisations from the southern part of Nigeria, on Friday, approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Women at a roundtable to promote gender equity and women empowerment.
At the event which was held in Lagos, the representatives of media umbrella bodies and media regulatory institutions formed a strategic partnership “to bolster media interventions and provide a robust platform for advancing women’s leadership.”
In a press release made available to Saturday PUNCH, the media professionals stressed that the MoU which was in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal 5 sought to ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making.
“The MoU signing underscores UN Women’s ongoing commitment to advancing women’s roles in leadership within Nigeria and investment in the socio-economic endeavours of Nigerian women to improve the standard of living for women and girls in Nigeria,” it added.
Among those who signed the MoU were The Punch Newspapers, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, the National Broadcasting Commission, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, the Nigeria Television Authority, The Guardian newspapers, the Nigerian Democratic Report, Raypower FM, and the Blueprint Newspaper, amongst others.
The signing of the MOU, tagged ‘Compact of Commitment,’ was the key highlight of the roundtable with media executives, media regulatory bodies, and Civil Society Organisations.
The event also featured solidarity statements, a welcome address, and an engaging panel discussion anchored by media experts.
The key areas of the memorandum include providing platforms for women to advance in legislative and leadership roles; enhancing women’s economic empowerment through capacity-building, and access to services, and technology.
Other important aspects were preventing violence against women and girls; advocating for increased representation of women in elective positions at both federal and state levels; promoting women’s leadership in development, peace, security, and humanitarian response.
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