Breaking Barriers: Abia Leads with Groundbreaking Training for Women Journalists

Abia State has taken a bold step toward gender equity in media with the successful hosting of a three-day capacity-building workshop for women journalists, focusing on gender equality, equity, gender-sensitive reporting, and workplace safety.

The powerful initiative was organized by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and supported by the Norwegian Union of Journalists—equipped over 40 female media professionals with tools to amplify women’s voices, dismantle stereotypes, and stay safe in the field.

Declaring the event open, Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, hailed women journalists as “nation builders” and reaffirmed the Abia State Government’s commitment to gender parity through progressive policies and inclusive governance.

“This training is more than a workshop—it’s a movement,” said keynote speaker and former NAWOJ President, Ifeyinwa Omowole. “Balanced reporting is essential for democracy.”

Held at the Ministry of Land’s boardroom in Umuahia, the event drew high-profile attendees, including officials from the Ministry of Information , Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia, who praised NAWOJ’s dedication to shaping an inclusive media landscape.

NAWOJ Abia Chairperson, Comrade Josephine Ogwo, called the training “a catalyst for change,” emphasizing the association’s role in advancing both media excellence and social justice.

Workshops addressed gender equity in media narratives, safety in conflict zones, sexual harassment at work place, redress mechanisms, and practical strategies for integrating gender perspectives into editorial processes.

As Nigeria works to close its gender gap—currently ranked 139th out of 146 globally—Abia’s bold step sends a clear message: the future of journalism is female, fearless, and fair.

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