NGO Empowers Journalists to Champion Women’s Representation in Politics
Comfort Chukwukelue
In a bid to promote gender inclusiveness and amplify women’s voices in Nigerian politics, a non-governmental organization (NGO) recently trained members of the House of Representatives Press Corps on how to report effectively on the proposed Reserved Seats for Women Bill.
The training, organized by TOS Foundation, aimed to equip parliamentary reporters with the knowledge and reporting skills necessary to cover the bill which seeks to reserve 37 seats for women in the Senate, 37 in the House of Representatives, and 108 in State Assemblies, with accuracy and fairness.
Founder of TOS Foundation, Chief Osasu Ogwuche, stressed that well-informed reporting is vital to shaping public perception and ensuring a balanced discourse as the bill moves through the legislative process.
Hon. Akin Rotimi, Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Publicity and co-sponsor of the bill, underscored the importance of media engagement in building public awareness. “We need the support of the media to create awareness and generate public support for this crucial legislation,” he said.
Resource persons at the training, including Dr. Adaora Sidney-Jack and Dr. Chidozie Ajah, urged reporters to study the bill thoroughly and present it in ways that foster understanding among citizens and lawmakers alike.
The proposed bill comes against a backdrop of persistent gender imbalance in Nigeria’s parliament. According to a recent report by the women’s advocacy group WILAN Global, women currently occupy just 4.5 percent of seats in the 10th National Assembly, one of the lowest rates in Africa. 
Advocates argue that reserved seats would help correct structural barriers — from high campaign costs to sociopolitical discrimination — that have long limited women’s participation in elective politics. 
By investing in media capacity, the NGO hopes to ensure that as the bill advances, reporting remains factual, fair, and oriented toward gender equity. The training is part of broader efforts to promote equality, inclusion, and renewed political participation for women across Nigeria.
