…call for increase in women participation in politics
As the 2027 General Elections draw near and in response to the need for increased women’s participation in politics, the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, in collaboration with the European Union (EU) Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN), at the weekend engaged media practitioners drawn from both print and online platforms in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Addressing participants at the interface discourse, Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of IPC, explained that the training was designed to equip journalists with the knowledge and tools for professional reporting of electoral issues, while also fostering stakeholder collaboration on the role of the media in strengthening democratic governance.
“This interface is meant to empower women, promote youth development issues, and strengthen the media for fair, ethical, and inclusive coverage of electoral processes in Nigeria,” he noted.
Arogundade urged participants to be agents of change by embracing the “RUSH” principle – Report Until Something Happens, adding that the power of the media in shaping society cannot be overstated, given its impact on the general public.
He further charged journalists to sensitise citizens, especially women, on the importance of active political participation. “As we strive for a more democratic society, the media must remain committed to self-regulation and accurate reporting,” he said.
Commending Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for creating more opportunities for women in governance and policy-making, Sanmi Folabi, Project Manager at IPC, urged journalists to leverage their various platforms to encourage women’s participation in politics.
