By Joy Omagha Idam
Worried by the continued misrepresentation of gender issues in the media and in order to celebrate the 16 days of Activism against Gender Violence an international campaign beginning 25th November to December 10th, 2014. A 3 day Capacity Building Programme on Gender Mainstreaming for the Media Powered by the UNICEF in collaboration with the National Centre for Women Development, NCWD held at the Bafra International Hotel Kaduna. Declaring the event open, the Lady of Songs, and Director General of the Centre, Dame Onyeka Onwenu , MFR, said ” the media no doubt is a powerful tool that must be taken along in exposing the unwholesome activities of baby factory operators, kidnappers, child traffickers, rapists, as well as other vice merchants.” Dame Onwenu stressed that in raising the tempo as regards the actualisation of the 35percent Affirmative Action of Women in Governance and Decision Making, we cannot but appreciate the Transformation Agenda of our gender sensitive President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, in the drive for th optimal promotion and protection of women’s rights, reduction in the prevalence of discrimination against women; increased investments in the girl-child and women’s development issues. She noted that “Gender Mainstreaming developed as both a policy for gender equality and as a policy design is a matter of public policy, which depends on intangible factors, such as cultural beliefs, professional and organisational cultural for its success. The process is a long term one and requires resources and constant vigilance, proactive measures of informing, training and supporting media workers on the how to and the why of Gender Mainstreaming.” “I expect this Forum to make recommendations that would help bring gender and development issues to the front burner for promoting and monitoring progress towards gender equality and contribute to the national quest for equitable and sustainable development as well achieve a decline in stereotyping women in the media a wider coverage in the reporting of gender issues,” she declared. On a lighter note “the Stallion” noted that while growing in Port Harcourt, all the songs rendered attributed all the ills in the society to women, I therefore promised myself that I will change all of that with my songs when I turned professional and I did, one of them being Ekwe.” She went on to do one of her popular songs on Peace “let there be peace in our hearts, home, nation and people of the world” a song according to her, written on the request of the late Mariam Babangida of blessed memory. Dr Olasunbo Odebode, representing UNICEF, in her address declared that “the mandate of UNICEF is to protect the rights of Women and Children in order to stop all forms of discriminations againts this group in all socities.” Dr Odebode who is a Gender expert and the Gender and Development Specialist UNICEF, noted that “this year’s training is part of activities lined up to mark the internation 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence” kick started November 25, 2014. She said so far three of these trainings have held; 2008, 2012 and 2014. Adding that “there is an increase in Gender Based Violence despite the sensitization on the public. Even when there is violence such as battery and rape the women are often blamed. So she wondered what excuse the men will give when Women in Purdah and babies are raped, will that also be blamed on indecent dressing.” Some of the Modules presented includes “International Dimension of Gender Mainstreaming A Historical Analysis of Gender Information on Global Regional and National Gender Instruments” by Princess Jummai Idonije, took participants down memory lane of the struggles over the years to give the hitherto voiceless and faceless women into policy and decision making process. She noted that in the 50s and 60s women issues in development subsumed under the question of human rights. The big break came in 1970, when Esther Boserup wrote the seminal book, “Women’s Role in Econmic Development” it highlighted for the first time the contributions of women in the sphere of productive work. Her work inspired the UN Decade for Women (1976-1985). Although the Principles of equality of men and women was recognised in both the UN Charter in 1945 and the UN Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, women’s positions and concerns in the development process had not been fully addressed. Thus, the UN Decade for Women therefore called on governments to promote the integration of women in national development. In response, governments established machineries such as women bureau, divisions and departments which were placed as units in different ministries in respective governments. In 2000 Millennium Declaration was signed in September, it commited to “promote gender equality and the empowerment of women as effective ways to combat poverty, hunger, and disease and to stimulate development that is trully sustainable.” During the declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan, he told the world that “Nigeria had proudly over come the goal aimed at reducing poverty for which the nation was honoured.” In 2009, UNSCR 1889 passed in October, to support women’s active involment in peace negotiations, post conflict peace building, Nigeria reacted to this by inauguration of the 100 women group. (What has become of that group is unknown. Perhaps it should be reconstituted, Joy Idam’s opinion). Where we currently are according to Princess Idonije, is The National Gender Policy which studies “the critical section of the Nigerian constitution which tallies with the core goals of CEDAW is the anti-discriminatory clause that stipulates that : All citizens without discrimination on any group whatsoever, have the opportunity for securing adequately means of livelihood as well as adequate opportunity to secure suitable employment.” Princess Idonije commended Ojoma Akoh of Daily Trust for her commitment and detailed reportage of the Centre and gender issues as well as Joy Omagha Idam of the Gleaner, whom she said is up coming and impressive with her reports, and Talatu Ezuruike of NTA Network News, charging others to emulate them. Other papers presented include; Basic Concepts of Gender and Media, by Ngozichi Okorie, The Role of the Media in Mainstreaming Gender in The Reporting Process by Halima Sarki and Introduction To Gender Concepts by Dr Olasunbo Odebode, Building a Mass Movement: Promoting Gendder Equality by Princess Jummai Idonije, all were interactive and exposed participants who were attending the training for the first time to certain truths about gender issues and how to turn the table to gain balance. The participants, called on the organisers to take the Advocacy of Gender Equality to Editors of National dailies in order to create a balance in reportage and give women more positive reports rather than reducing them to sex symbols. Dear readers please look out for the concluding part of this story next week and a new page on gender issues and mainstreaming.
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