Journalists and other media stakeholders have been advised to give more media coverage to Issues of political participation of women in elections and governance at the community level.
A Development Communications expert, Mrs Funmi Falobi gave the charge while facilitating a session on the use of the media to amplify local voices for community development, at a two-day sensitization meetings with local leaders on promotion of gender mainstreaming for community development through the media, organised by the Institute of Media and Society at Mushin and Alimosho Local Government Areas of Lagos.
Falobi tasked media practitioners to amplify grassroots voices to influence the direction of government policies
Speaking also at the sensitization program, an academician and researcher, Dr. Ismail Olawale, called on women in Mushin and Alimosho LGAs to participate more in political activities in order for them to have a voice in the electoral process and decision making that will enhance community development.
Olawale urged women in the area to create a platform where they can gather and engage politicians on what they need in their various areas.
“Women are the most active group in all aspects of community life and empowering them will accelerate development.”
The guest speaker added that people in the area should identify their challenges and present them to politicians, in order to avoid construction of project that is not important to the development of the Local Government Area.
He therefore encouraged stakeholders to identify issues affecting People With Disabilities (PWD) and organize events that can showcase them to the Federal Government, through partnership with the media.
The sensitization program organized in conjunction with European Union, British Council and Agents for Citizens-Driven Transportation had in attendance community leaders, women, and People with Disabilities.
