The Rotv24 launched a pet project known as the Arewa Women In New Media Project (AWINMP) on Saturday 16 December 2023.
The event took place at the Afri Hotel opposite War College’s central business area in Abuja.
Delivering her speech the convener of the programme Haj. Rasheeda Noro Yahaya, who is also the CEO of Rotv24.com stated that the project aims to groom young women with an interest in journalism to thrive.
The Arewa Women in New Media Project is an initiative created to groom northern women especially young girls, with an interest in journalism to have a focus.
“Women in Nigeria and Africa generally are sidelined when it comes to the journalism profession due to ethno-religious and social reasons. Girls, especially from the northern part of the country are discouraged from taking journalism as a profession. Society believes that it is not a decent job for ladies, especially those who want to raise a family.
“My personal experience over the years on social media platforms has shown that women who are vocal and stand on a certain belief regarding life and women’s rights are the target of abuse and internet bullying.
“There are also under-reported cases of women’s issues, especially from the grassroots. Issues like child marriage, sexual and gender-based violence, domestic violence, girl-child, and street hawking among others”.
“The AWINMP therefore set out to address some of these issues through sensitization and education so that women can leverage the digital space to change the public mindset against women in the media, as well as be useful to the society and themselves. This training will allow the young ones to create a niche for themselves.
Speaking at the event chairman of the occasion Alhaji Salihu Muhammad Dembos Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority NTA who was ably represented by Alh.Lawal Bashir, Director of Programmes NTA said that, The project is a welcome idea.
According to him, the significance of platforms like the new media cannot be overstated.
“This will surely provide a space for women not only to participate but to also lead conversations, shaping life issues that affect them.”
He assured the unflinching support of the NTA to RoTv24 in terms of airtime, among others.
Also in attendance at the auspicious occasion were representatives of the DG Voice of Nigeria (VON) and Civil Society Organisations, among others.
