The United Nations on Monday called for collaborative support from media organisations toward promoting gender equality and ending violence against women and girls.

The UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, said this in Abuja at the maiden UN Nigeria Media Partners Conference 2023.

The theme of the conference was “Escalating media action for women’s empowerment ending violence against women and girls.’’

The event was part of activities lined up by the UN Women Nigeria to commemorate the 2023 16 days of activism.

She decried gender inequality and gender-based violence which, according to her, contribute to all forms of poverty and underdevelopment in society.

She said although Nigeria is a country of people with the best brains and rich qualifications, GBV is still prevalent.

“We have to handle it as seriously as we are handling other agencies. We believe that the media is powerful. We believe that the media can accelerate our work. We believe that the media can play a key role in it.

“So, this conference is aimed at bringing us together so that collectively we can access efforts being made so far, in bringing women issues to the front burner to change the narrative about myths and social norms that are barriers to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

“The question here is, has the media done enough to change the negative gender perception? Have we done enough to pressure the government into adopting gender-responsive policies?” she said.

She urged media professionals to initiate ideas and create relevant awareness as a way of creating opportunities and empowerment for women.

Speaking, National President, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Aisha Ibrahim, described the conference as an event organised in the right direction.

She said, “Our role as members of the fourth estate is clearly cut-out for us, which is to lend voice to the voiceless and act as unbiased umpire in driving awareness about violence against women and girls.

“This conference is very dear to us. As NAWOJ, we are strategically placed and we have a critical role to play to ensure that all forms of violence are reduced to the barest minimum.’’

Also speaking, Chairman, South-East Traditional Rulers Council, Dr Lawrence Agbubuzu, commended the media for information dissemination, urging it to make gender inequality and GBV a thing of the past.

“People need to know that the government in Nigeria has made commitments to ensure gender equality and fight GBV. As you write to and speak, know you have the backing of the traditional rulers. Every Nigerian comes from a community. There is no community in Nigeria that does not have a traditional ruler, if all of us are backing you, you should be bold enough to demand full right to our privileges” Mr Agbubuzu.

The highlight of the event was discussion centered on challenges and opportunities in advancing gender equality and ending violence against women and girls in Nigeria.

(NAN)