The Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has appealed to the governments at all levels and media proprietors to consider upward review of remunerations for journalists considering the unique roles they play in the society, as well as the economic situation of the country.
President of NAWOJ Mrs. Ladi Bala, who made the call in Abuja, during a thanksgiving service for the progress of the association so far, also lamented that journalists are feeling the brunt of the harsh economy.
She said the association was thanking God for using supportive women to provide them a secretariat for the first time since its inception and the FCT administration for giving them a land to build its permanent office.
“This is the begining of the journey and we are here to thank God so that he will do more. Women are supporting women and the narrative that they do not is not true because all our successes so far is majorly backed by women.
“Women Journalists appreciate the support of the immediate past Minister of Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen and the Country Director of Action Aid Nigeria Ene Obi for their support and that is why we honoured them with awards and pray that God continue to bless them because they are inspiring younger women and showing that with support women can do better.
“This is a celebration of success for not just female journalists but all Journalists,” she said.
“We all feel the heat of the economy, Journalists are at risk and vulnerable and we appeal that their renumeration is reviewed so that they can carry out their jobs effectively because they are special workers,” she added.
Receiving the award, Former Minister of Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen, noted that women deserved to be giving opportunity to contribute their quota to nation’s growth.
She expressed gratitude to God for being able to advocate for the human rights of women, and rededicated the award to them particularly NAWOJ for amplifying the voices of women through various mediums a d task them to work towards more achievements.
“Women love each other and as we continue to work and show our capabilities men will begin to see great things among happen that we will all continue to grow and occupy the spaces,” she said.
Also thanking NAWOJ for the award, the Executive Director of Action Aid Ene Obi, called for more women representation, saying that the current appointments so far has not met the 35% Affirmative action let alone the 50/50 women are demanding.
“When women occupy positions a lot of things will work better. We are demanding 50/50 because we are humans and we know women bear the burden more so don’t discuss women without women on the table.
“In Nigeria, women pay so much to give birth to babies when in other climes women are paid for giving birth, there is a lot of insanity in the nation and we need more patriotic leaders to solve this problems.
“How do we describe a situation where some people have 20-30 cars when many Nigerians cannot feed?
“Nigeria wants to send troops to Niger yet we have our own security challenges unsolved. I think dialogue is better instead of force because this will affect us back here our children are suffering and some yet to be found we should address that first before sending any soldiers to Niger,” she urged.
Meanwhile, veteran Broadcaster and Board Member of NAWOJ, Moji Makanjuola, wants more women to be considered for appointments, assuring that they are capable and ready to contribute to nation building just as she stressed that the nation can grow faster when men and women work together.
