A non-governmental organizations (NGO), Action Aid, has stressed the need for a legal and ethical frameworks that are designed to checkmate gender biases and discrimination against journalists.
This is contained in a communique issued by Lola Ayanda, communication coordinator, Action Aid Nigeria,
at the end of the National Media Virtual Roundtable on Actioning Safety and Protection of Women Journalists in Nigeria.
The meeting also recommended that Organizations such as the NUJ, NAWOJ, NGE and other allied pro-media organizations should lead this campaign with support from professional and development networks, including FIDA to develop draft legislation.
It also recommended for the Mainstreaming of Gender Policy in the Newsrooms: Media organizations should develop and be willing to implement robust gender inclusive policy to guide against sexual harassment and intimidation of journalists especially female journalists.
The Communique added that gender policy must ensure a measure of gender balance in the leadership structure of the organizations.
It also noted that police, law enforcement agents and security agencies should be properly sensitized to understand how to accord and treat female journalists with respect and dignity.
While stressing the need for Media organizations to institute workplace policies covering the welfare of journalists, which would include health insurance as well as active sexual harassment and abuse policies to protect journalists against sexual abuse and intimidation within the media organization.
It added that media organizations should be willing to support and pursue to logical conclusions cases involving journalists who are involved in any form of intimidation and harassment while carrying out their duties.
“Media organizations should first ensure the economic protection of the journalists working with them, and that the journalists should be properly engaged as staff.
According to them, this will bolster the confidence of the journalists and make them report incidences of harassment in or outside the media organizations without fear of intimidation or reprisal attack.
NAN reports that the National Media Convening is organized annually by ActionAid Nigeria to discuss topical issues as it affects journalists and the journalistic practice in Nigeria.
ActionAid is also a global movement of people working together to enhance human rights for all and defeat poverty. (NAN).
