AMDF Harps on Need for Gender Balance in All Sector for Better Society

By Alex Uangbaoje, Kaduna

Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF), has said for a balanced and better society, there is need for “a gender-balanced government, gender-balanced boardroom, gender-balanced media coverage, and most significantly gender-balanced media management.”

AMDF, in press statement to commemorate the 2019, International Women Day, made available to newsmen on Friday, in Kaduna, signed by it’s Coordinator, Sekyen Dadik, noted that, “the world has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in the society’s thoughts about women’s equality and emancipation.

“Many from a younger generation may feel that ‘all the battles have been won for women’ while many feminists from the 1970’s know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women’s visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality.”

According to AMDF, “as the world celebrates the 2019 international Women Day with the theme Balance for Better, AMDF identifies with the struggles and contributions of women in all walks of life.

“The theme “Balance for Better” captures the reality that we all have a role to play, all the time and everywhere without gender bias for a better society. Hence, we must see balance not as a women’s issue but a necessary tool to guide and stimulate continuous collective action towards a gender balanced society; an essential ingredient for economies and communities to grow.

“As we mark the 2019 International Women Day, AMDF as a media development organization salutes the doggedness of women in the media especially African media; their role in the media cannot go unnoticed as women continue to rise not just as presenters, broadcasters but as field reporters, investigative reporters and Editors. As we consider the theme Balance for Better, AMDF looks forward to a media where women have equal opportunities to serve as News Room Managers and Media Executives.

“International women’s day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regards to national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political differences. International women day first emerged from the activities of labor movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.

“Since early years, international women’s day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women’s movement, which has been strengthened by four global united nation women’s conferences, has helped made the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women’s right and participation in the political and economic arenas.

“The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women’s education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men. However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, women have real choices. And so each year the world inspires women and celebrates their achievements.”