Women Radio, UN Women seek media held for violence free election

The Nigerian Association of Women Journalist has been urged to help create more sensitisation to shun violence against women to enable women exercise their right to vote and be voted for in the forthcoming 2019 elections.

Toun Okewale Sonaiya, MD of Women Radio 91.7, during an advocacy visit to NAWOJ Lagos State Chapter emphasized the need for all to ensure 2019 general elections is peaceful and non violent to increase women’s participation.

Sonaiya affirmed the need to create an enabling peaceful political space for every eligible woman to vote and be voted for.

Sonaiya seized the opportunity to call for support for females candidates vying for various positions to be given more visibility on TV, radio and newspapers by reporting their activities.

Okewale Sonaiya said with the support of UN Women, tracking incidences of electoral violence against women in 2019 elections will be a priority and call on NAWOJ to support.

In her response, Sekinah Lawal, Chairperson, NAWOJ Lagos State Chapter, attested to the impact the media plays in reporting election and the important role of women in the media.

Lawal emphasized that NAWOJ will support the NoToViolenceAgainstWomen campaign through sensitization and enlightenment to women on what to do before, during and after the election because with proper information they would be able to take the right decisions.

Lawal assured Women Radio that NAWOJ would use the opportunity to give publicity to female candidates in the media.

NAWOJ members present were Faoziyah Salako-Sanni of Bond FM, Kikelomo Oduyebo of LTV, Dr. Grace Achum, publishers of Business Plus magazine and Ifejola Otun of Ministry of Information, NAWOJ Secretary.

Women Radio 91.7 with support from UNWomen continues in her advocacy for Nigerians to shun violence against Women in 2019 elections and to vote for Women to increase women leadership and political empowerment.