Breaking Barriers: Women Journalists Rewriting the Media Narrative

Breaking Barriers: Women Journalists Rewriting the Media Narrative

By Zainab Tanimu – Kaduna

The historic halls of Arewa House, Kaduna, resonated with powerful voices and renewed conviction as women journalists gathered for the 2025 Voices of Impact Public Lecture, themed “Women, Media and Social Change.” The event, hosted by the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Kaduna State Chapter, became a stage for courage, reflection, and a call to action.

Delivering the keynote paper titled “Breaking Barriers: Women Journalists Challenging Gender Norms and Power Structures in the Media,” Esther Kozah, Director of Programmes (Television) at the Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC), stirred the audience with her words of wisdom and passion. She began with heartfelt gratitude—to the organizers, to trailblazing women who paved the way, and to the new generation daring to break invisible ceilings in the media.

Kozah’s message was not of confrontation, but of awakening. “Our mission,” she said, “is to remember where we began, recognize where we stand, and define where we must go.” She spoke about the two forces women in journalism constantly navigate—gender norms that confine women to “acceptable” roles, and media power structures that determine who gets heard and who remains invisible.

For years, women in Nigeria’s media industry were confined to the “soft beats”—family, lifestyle, fashion, and entertainment—while men dominated politics, conflict, and governance reporting. But change, Kozah noted, is gradually unfolding.

She highlighted the formation of NAWOJ in 1989 as a defining moment—a platform born out of the need to give women journalists a unified voice in a male-dominated field. Since its inception, NAWOJ has championed advocacy, equity, and empowerment, pushing for visibility and leadership opportunities for women across Nigeria.

Yet, challenges persist. Citing the 2024 Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) Report, Kozah revealed that women currently hold only 26.9% of leadership roles and 24.2% of board-level positions in Nigerian media. Even in news content, women feature in a mere 7.1% of stories and constitute just 12.1% of expert sources.

Despite these stark figures, hope is alive. Regions like the Northwest and South-South now record a rise in women occupying managerial and editorial positions. In Kaduna, the appointment of Hajiya Farida Abubakar as Executive Director (Radio) at KSMC stands as a proud symbol of progress.

Kozah urged women to take deliberate steps to break remaining barriers—by challenging stereotypes, pursuing continuous professional growth, building mentorship networks, leveraging digital platforms, and maintaining balance between career and home life.

She further charged NAWOJ to intensify its advocacy, professional training, and engagement with policymakers. “Government,” she added, “must create gender-inclusive policies that open doors for women in decision-making spaces.”

Her closing words drew applause:

“Women are no longer silent scribes in the background. We are shaping agendas, running newsrooms, owning media houses, and reframing the national conversation.”

Recognizing other contributions, Kozah praised Kaduna-based female journalists running registered online platforms—Hajiya Zainab Tanimu (Newsreservoir), Lola Seriki (Trace Reporter), and Mayen Etim (News Precise)—urging women in media to amplify their impact and make their voices count.

Representing NAWOJ’s National Chairperson, Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim, the association’s Auditor Jamila Chinwe Abubakar encouraged journalists to uphold truth, fairness, and professionalism. “The journalist’s duty has never been greater. We must amplify women’s voices across all spheres,” she declared.

Similarly, Rabi Muhammad Gwadabawa, NAWOJ Zone A Vice Chairperson, speaking through her Zonal Secretary Daharatu Ahmed Aliyu, lauded NAWOJ Kaduna for its commitment to driving gender equity in media. She emphasized that women’s inclusion strengthens societies and urged support for the Special Seats Bill for women in the Senate, calling on all tiers of government and influential women to advocate for its passage.

“Today,” she said, “we celebrate a revolution fueled by resilience, innovation, and unity—women reclaiming their narrative in both traditional and digital media.”

In her goodwill message, Hajiya Halima Yahaya Ibrahim, Chairperson of the Nigerian Defence Academy Officers’ Wives Association (NDAOWA), commended the initiative, describing communication as a tool for peace and progress. “When women are empowered to speak, they become catalysts for unity and national development,” she noted.

Earlier, Comrade Sahura Jibril Maidoki, Chairperson of NAWOJ Kaduna, described the lecture as a milestone in empowering women journalists to take their rightful place as agents of transformation. “This is not just a discussion—it’s a movement,” she affirmed.

Also in attendance was Comrade Agnes, Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who pledged the union’s continued support for NAWOJ’s advocacy and initiatives.

The maiden Voices of Impact 2025 lecture gathered media professionals, academics, civil society leaders, and government representatives, all united by a shared vision—to create a media space where women’s voices are heard, respected, and celebrated.

At Arewa House that day, it was clear: the tide is turning. The women of NAWOJ are not just reporting history—they are rewriting it.