Vanguard Allure

Top Menu

  • Vanguard

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Allure Magazine
    • Features
    • Magazine
    • Profiles
  • Allure TV
  • Celebration
    • Fashion & Style
    • Weddings
    • Lifestyle
    • Events
  • Wellbeing
    • Allure Woman
    • Healthy Living
    • Beauty
  • Happiness
    • Food
    • Shopping
    • Travel
    • Relationships
    • Career
  • News
  • Vanguard

logo

Vanguard Allure

  • Home
  • Allure Magazine
    • Behold Nollywood's Game Changing Producers

      May 15, 2022
      0
    • Faith Morey: Supermodel Living Her Dream

      May 9, 2022
      0
    • Linda Uneze: The Transformational Coach

      May 1, 2022
      0
    • Kate Henshaw: Fighting for Women’s Rights

      April 24, 2022
      0
    • King Hakbal: Styling Royalties

      April 17, 2022
      0
    • Aisha Gambo: In Pursuit of Sustainable Development

      March 29, 2022
      0
    • IWD: Women who broke glass ceilings

      March 14, 2022
      0
    • IWD: Women Bridging Gender Gaps

      March 7, 2022
      0
    • Zikel Cosmetics introduces SkinFit collection to the Nigerian market

      March 2, 2022
      0
    • Features
    • Magazine
    • Profiles
  • Allure TV
  • Celebration
    • Fashion & Style
    • Weddings
    • Lifestyle
    • Events
  • Wellbeing
    • Allure Woman
    • Healthy Living
    • Beauty
  • Happiness
    • Food
    • Shopping
    • Travel
    • Relationships
    • Career
  • News
    • Toyin Lawani calls out Chioma Ikokwu for spreading rumours about her

      May 20, 2022
      0
    • Rihanna welcomes son with A$ap Rocky

      May 19, 2022
      0
    • Chris Rock likely to host 2023 Oscars after stage slap by Will ...

      May 19, 2022
      0
    • Josh2funny welcomes baby boy with wife

      May 18, 2022
      0
    • Actress, Chioma Toplis blames Leo Mezie for his death

      May 18, 2022
      0
    • Swanky JKA opens up on losing uncle, cousin, dad in one year

      May 18, 2022
      0
    • Uche Ogbodo recounts near death experience on birthday

      May 18, 2022
      0
    • Kourtney Kardashian ties knot with Travis Baker in Santa Barbara

      May 16, 2022
      0
    • Nollywood actor, Leo Mezie is dead

      May 16, 2022
      0
  • Toyin Lawani calls out Chioma Ikokwu for spreading rumours about her

  • M.I in heated war of words with music journalist

  • My father’s kidnappers have refused to release him – Actor Uche Odoputa cries out again

  • US rapper, DaBaby alleges extortion at Nigerian airport

  • Rihanna welcomes son with A$ap Rocky

EventNews
Home›Event›Women’s History Month: U.S. Consulate celebrates women journalists

Women’s History Month: U.S. Consulate celebrates women journalists

March 7,2022
Share:

By Jemi Ekunkunbor

Ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8 and in celebration of Women’s History Month as well as the opening of the American Corner, the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, held a one-day panel discussion on Women in Journalism. 

The one-of-a-kind event which took place at the Ikeja American Corner, Lagos, brought together in one space, female journalists from TV, radio, newspapers, online media, female mass communication students and faculty members from journalism schools as well as female representatives from media development organizations.

Four key points formed the agenda for the day; Raising a strong community of female reporters with leadership prowess, who can put conversations on violence against girls and women, criminal justice and human rights on the front burner, dearth of women in senior management positions in Nigerian newsrooms, gender equality in the news, newsrooms, and the society at large, challenges and opportunities for women journalists in Nigeria, in particular, how to empower women journalists with the training, opportunities, and support to become leaders in the news industry, and media freedom and the safety of female journalists.    

In an opening remark, Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate, Stephen Ibelli, said most media houses are still tilted in favour of men in terms of number, as they make up the majority in many newsrooms with the imbalance even more visible at the top. He said women should be at the forefront as managers or owners of media houses in the fight against this gender imbalance.

 

Ahead of the 2023 elections he admonished women to say no to programmes that feature only men while hoping the discussions will encourage all female journalists as well as break down barriers.

The discussion which kicked off with coverage of conflicts and crises situations had Arise TV correspondent, Seyitan Atigarin taking the first shot. Sharing her experience, Seyitan said when it comes to crises, one can never tell how events will pan out and in the heat of the crises, she didn’t think as a man or a woman but just as a reporter passionate to get the job done. She revealed that standing long hours covering the red carpet, prepared her for the long time she watch covering the #EndSars crises at the Lekki Toll Gate.

Giving a graphic description of a work day covering crises, Deutsche Welle West Africa Correspondent, Amaka Okoye, described conflict coverage as “horrendous.” According to her, you never know how things will turn out but one thing she reminds herself is that “this story has to be told.” 

Amaka who did an extensive work covering the Chibok crises and the reunion of the girls said, “you are never quite prepared” but added that and being able to speak the language and dressing to fit into the environment she was covering all helped her. However, she pointed out that removing oneself completely from the horrors of conflict can be very difficult like that of Kebbi and Zamfara. “I had a nervous breakdown” and “had to invest in therapy” she revealed. 

CNN Africa Supervising Editor, Stephanie Busari, hailed the initiative of the US Consulate in bringing women together describing this event as one of her “best moments.” 

She said women covering crises bring a level of empathy to reporting as they do so with heart and compassion. “I embrace my gender in reporting” she stated “So, it’s okay to cry.”

She said female journalists must tackle men who stereotype them at press conferences when they address women as “Gentlemen of the press.”

 She said media owners and news managers must find competent women and give them more opportunities noting that “one side cannot be telling the story.” 

She said the way to bridge the gender gap is for women to work harder and smarter, find areas where they have a niche, and make contacts that others don’t have that will give them an edge.

For Super Sport TV Host, Chisom Mbonu-Ezeoke, being a loner in a predominantly men’s turf, men became her first source of inspiration. At the beginning, being the only woman made her become “one of the guys” and this had its advantage. However, she said that it is regrettable and a failure on her part and those who came before her, that in 2022, “we are still talking about only Chisom.” 

When a participant sought to know if the risk attached to journalism will not affect marriage and work-life balance, all panelists disagreed. Amaka said with a good support system, a woman will do well, but added that a woman’s success should not be tied to marriage.

Chisom pointed that beside the harzard of the job that can put pressure on the marriage, she said there are pressures that come with marriage that has nothing to do with the job. 

Stephanie was of the view that “marriage should enhance your life and personal goals”.

The highly educative discuss came to a climax with wise counsels from the panelists. For the mental health of the journalist, Amaka says accepting that you are weak works magic. Allow yourself to be vulnerable.”

“Pull back and let go” says Chisom.”

 And as the moderator, Channel’s TV Foreign Affairs Editor, Amarachi Ubani puts it, when it gets overwhelming, “suck it up and move on.”

TagsUS ConsulateWomen in historyWomen's day
Previous Article

House Of Sota’s Tribute To Black History ...

Next Article

Tips on how to make your home ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • News

    US Consulate issues security warning to visitors due to a significant rise in violence in Nigeria

    April 28, 2021
    By Dami
  • Allure MagazinemusicNews

    Music diva, Tiwa Savage features American singer, Omarion on ‘Get it now’ remix

    March 9, 2018
    By allure1
  • Allure MagazineNews

    Terry G makes it to America for the first time ever (Photos)

    January 11, 2017
    By allure1
  • EntertainmentNews

    Follow Up: Naira Marley Hits Back At Executive Jet On Twitter

    June 16, 2020
    By Oluwamuyiwa Oyedele
  • Allure MagazineNews

    Comedian, Koffi and wife celebrate 10 year wedding anniversary

    March 8, 2018
    By allure1
  • Allure MagazineNews

    Trump reportedly shuns Buhari as he invites Jonathan as Nigeria’s representative at his inauguration

    January 19, 2017
    By allure1
0

  • News

    Real Warri Pikin Gets Knocks, Kudos For Comparing Marriage To Horror Film

  • Allure MagazineEventFashion & Style

    AFWL 2016: 10 BEST TRENDS

  • News

    Wizkid & Beyoncy’s ‘brown skin Girl’ wins at the Soul Train Award

  • 5312
    Followers
  • 12744
    Likes

Timeline

  • May 20, 2022

    Toyin Lawani calls out Chioma Ikokwu for spreading rumours about her

  • May 20, 2022

    M.I in heated war of words with music journalist

  • May 20, 2022

    My father’s kidnappers have refused to release him – Actor Uche Odoputa cries out again

  • May 19, 2022

    US rapper, DaBaby alleges extortion at Nigerian airport

  • May 19, 2022

    Rihanna welcomes son with A$ap Rocky

Categories

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates and to hear what's going on with our magazine!

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • Toyin Lawani calls out Chioma Ikokwu for spreading rumours about her

    By joy onuorah
    May 20, 2022
  • M.I in heated war of words with music journalist

    By joy onuorah
    May 20, 2022
  • Uche Odoputa missing father

    My father’s kidnappers have refused to release him – Actor Uche Odoputa cries out again

    By Ashimedua
    May 20, 2022
  • US rapper, DaBaby alleges extortion at Nigerian airport

    By joy onuorah
    May 19, 2022
  • Chioma Jesus, Sammie Okposo, Midnight Crew set for #THUGGLA2018

    By RITA
    April 24, 2018
  • American rapper, Kendrick Lamar wins Pulitzer prize for 2017 ‘Damn’ album

    By RITA
    April 17, 2018
  • Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti drops new album titled ‘Black Times’ 

    By RITA
    April 23, 2018
  • Actor, Yul Edochie declares intention to run for presidency

    By RITA
    April 23, 2018

Entertainment

  • May 20, 2022

    M.I in heated war of words with music journalist

  • May 19, 2022

    Chris Rock likely to host 2023 Oscars after stage slap by Will Smith

  • May 19, 2022

    Actress Chika Ike wows fans with alluring photos

  • May 19, 2022

    BBNaija: Organizers announce date for Shine Ya Eye reunion show

  • May 18, 2022

    Why I left ‘The Johnsons’ comedy series – Seun Osigbesan

Follow us