Women’s Voices: Female Journalists’ Roles in Nigeria’s Democratic Journey For over five years, the International Press Centre (IPC), as the lead partner under Component 4 (Support to Media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN I & II), has championed a clear mission: elevating women’s voices in Nigeria’s democratic journey. By
Women’s Voices: Female Journalists’ Roles in Nigeria’s Democratic Journey
For over five years, the International Press Centre (IPC), as the lead partner under Component 4 (Support to Media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN I & II), has championed a clear mission: elevating women’s voices in Nigeria’s democratic journey. By focusing on professionalising the media—especially female journalists—IPC continues to break through deeply entrenched gender barriers in both media and politics.
Visualisation of IPC intervention on Women in the past years
Despite these efforts, the media landscape remains challenging for women. Representation often remains symbolic and access to decision-making roles is still largely limited. Nevertheless, signs of transformation are evident.
At the core of this change is a recognition that democracy thrives on inclusive participation rather than dominance. As Ify Onyegbule, General Manager of Imo State Broadcasting Station, stated during the recent Consultative Session with NAWOJ Leadership on Advancing Women Journalists’ Professionalism, “_You will never be the only conqueror in this journey—hold up another woman’s hand, light her path, and yours will burn even brighter. _”
Ms Ify Onyegbule
On May 24, 2025, in Port Harcourt, editors, senior reporters, producers, and presenters gathered—women striving for recognition in a male-dominated field. Onyegbule’s story highlights persistence, mentorship, and leadership, embodying a resilient and inclusive democracy that fosters equal voices and shared progress.
At the event, Associate Professor Titilayo Osuagwu from the University of Port Harcourt commended IPC’s distinctive approach. She stated, “No other civil society organization amplifies women’s voices like the IPC.” She further noted, “Their commitment to enhancing women’s political participation is unparalleled.” Professor Osuagwu emphasized that such gatherings empower women journalists to further the discourse—they are regarded not merely as reporters but as advocates with the perspective and platform to transform narratives concerning women in politics.
Dr Titilayo Osuagwu
Ms. Tonia Ike-Ejeye, Deputy Co-Ordinator at Daar Communications, emphasised the importance of such initiatives in inspiring women’s aspirations. She encouraged women to pursue leadership, challenge barriers, and support one another.
Tonia highlighted the cultural, religious, and societal barriers that continue to impede women’s political participation. She emphasized that addressing these obstacles requires bravery, unity, and a collective commitment to transforming the existing framework. For democracy to flourish, it is essential that women are not only granted representation but also provided with the necessary resources, confidence, and support to effectively articulate their perspectives.
Ms. Tonia Ike-Ejeye
As a direct outcome of the Consultative Session organised by the International Press Centre (IPC), a renewed commitment emerged—not only to diagnose the barriers confronting women in media and politics but to dismantle them through strategic collaboration, skills development, and inclusive storytelling.
The dialogue highlighted challenges women, especially female journalists, face in Africa’s media and political spheres. These include socio-cultural barriers against leadership roles, lack of mentorship, and reluctance from senior professionals to offer guidance. Women also fear backlash and have limited access to technical training, affecting journalistic efficiency. Gender biases, institutional resistance, and a culture that restricts them to supporting roles further inhibit their progress.
The session transitioned from identifying issues to developing strategies. Participants, including NAWOJ leaders, suggested actions intended to enable women to play a significant role in public discourse and policy formation. There was a recommendation to recognize the contributions of women politicians through storytelling to influence public perception and enhance women’s visibility. Journalists were advised to record campaign promises made to women at all levels of government and use solution-focused journalism to monitor their fulfillment.
Advocacy for electoral reforms to institutionalize gender representation was encouraged, including reserved seats and support for independent candidacy. NAWOJ will invest in virtual training platforms developed with IPC and CEMESO, and build supportive communities through regular forums for women to connect, learn, and grow.
Mentorship was highlighted as crucial, urging senior professionals to guide younger journalists. Campaigns like “I Can, We Can” were suggested to boost women’s confidence in professional and political fields. Participants recommended creating media platforms for gender issues, collaborating with security agencies on women’s safety in politics, and instituting reward systems to celebrate women’s accomplishments.
There was unanimous agreement that female politicians need support to speak up in public and institutional spaces. This includes mentorship, leadership training, and media visibility, aiming to strengthen their influence in decision-making and governance.
The urgency of these actions is underlined by persistent media bias and gendered framing. According to the 2020 Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP), only 25% of people seen, heard, or reported on in the news globally are women, and when they are featured, it’s often with a focus on appearance or personal life rather than expertise or leadership. In Nigeria, this disparity is even sharper. Research from the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism indicates that only 12.1% of news sources are women, and just 5% of stories focus specifically on gender or women’s issues. Even more troubling, when women do become newsworthy, they are disproportionately subjected to negative framing, often labelled “emotional” or “ambitious” in ways that undermine their authority.
This thematic concern was echoed days later at another milestone event: the Strategic Engagement with Key Media Operational Leaders, held on June 16, 2025, in Abuja and organised by IPC in collaboration with CEMESO. There, media executives acknowledged the need to reposition women and other marginalised groups, not merely as subjects of coverage, but as authors of democratic change. Chichi Umeseaka, General Manager of Universal Television Africa, captured the urgency succinctly when she stated, “We must stop treating women and PWDs as political decorations. They are not charity cases—they are leaders, thinkers, and participants in democracy.”
As Nigeria navigates its evolving democratic terrain, these conversations are galvanising new possibilities. IPC’s work under the EUSDGN initiative stands as a catalyst for change, driving home the message that women journalists are not only documenting democracy—they are shaping its very foundation. In lighting the way for others, they keep the flame of progress burning, ensuring that every voice finds its place in the nation’s democratic chorus.
