In a bid to empower women to break barriers and challenge stereotypes in the Media Newsroom, over One hundred students of mass communication have been trained at theJoseph Ayo Babalola University ikeji Arakeji Osun state.
The training was facilitated by the Wole Soyinka Centre For Investigative journalism Under it’s Report Women Female Reporters Leadership project supported by Bills and Melinda gates foundation.
Declaring the Trianing open the Vice chancellor of the University , Professor Olasebikan Fakolujo expressed delights for the opportunity for the school to be part of the knowledge sharing for a better representation of women in the media
Professor Fakolujo said that the school was working out modalities to establish its own radio station before the end of the session.
In his lecture Entitled Gender Mainstreaming in the media (women Perspective) the Head of Department Mass Communication Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Dr Raphael Abimbola pointed out the prevalence of male denomination in the media ,a development he described as a global phenomenon
The Guest Lecturer noted that this has limited the capacity of the female gender and contributes to the development not only in the media but the society generally.
Also in his submission,The Second lecturer,Adenitan Akinola Charles Argued that to achieve diversity and inclusivity which are the essence of gender mainstreaming in the newsroom ,young female Mass communication students must be imbibe with basic strategy which include mentoring empowerment regular training , organization and confidence among others.
Mr Akinola underscores the importance of the school in inculcating this strategies into the students.
In his paper presentation titled Gender Mainstreaming in the media , The Director News OSRC Media Group ,Nike Busari represented by Omosileola Adesoye- Ajayi advocated adequate representation of women in the media to change the narratives and stereotypes.
Earlier,The Dean College of Humanities and Social sciences Jabu, Professor Tokunbo Adaja Commended the organisers and convener of the programme for a job well done .
In her open remark ,the convener of the program Mrs olufisoye Adenitan said the essence of the program was to raise the consciousness of mass communication students to the need for gender mainstreaming in the newsrooms
Highlight of the training was the presentation of gifts on behalf of the vice chancellor of the university by HOD Mass Communication JABU Dr Atinuke Akintayo to the Guest Lecturers.
