A cross section of participants at the workshop
In a bid to promote gender-inclusive governance and amplify female participation in politics, particularly at the grassroots level, the European Union (EU), in collaboration with development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), has organized a capacity-building workshop for journalists and media professionals in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The four-day training, held from Tuesday, October 21 to Friday, October 24, 2025, at R & B Hotel and Suites, brought together media practitioners, heads of media organizations, civil society groups, and government institutions.
The initiative aims to equip journalists with strategic tools, guidelines, and techniques to enhance gender-sensitive reporting, particularly in the coverage of political participation and elections involving women.
Supporting Sustainable Social Protection Participation and Economic resilience in North East Nigeria (SEPIN SUSI) programme, co-created and powered by dRPC, is funded by the German Cooperation and the European Union. It focuses on strengthening social protection, encouraging female political participation, and fostering economic resilience in Northeast Nigeria.
Focus on strengths, barriers, and action plans
Speaking during the workshop, dRPC’s Director of Communications and Partnerships, Malam Hassan Karofi, emphasized the need for the media to adopt gender-positive reporting frameworks.
He noted that the training was designed to help journalists understand the internal strengths and weaknesses of female political actors, as well as the external challenges they face — including sociocultural, financial, and institutional barriers.
Karofi highlighted the critical role media plays in shaping public opinion and holding political institutions accountable.
He stressed that gender-inclusive media practices are essential in bridging the gap between women and men in political spaces and supporting transparent, participatory governance.
“The media remains a powerful tool in ensuring gender equity in political representation. Women have proven their leadership potential, but cultural, religious, and financial limitations often push them to the margins. It’s time we change that narrative,” he said.
He also presented lectures on stakeholder engagement, outlining how traditional leaders, political figures, civil society, and the private sector can collectively promote and sustain women’s participation in governance.
Building a Roadmap for Change
The workshop explored strategies to develop actionable communication and advocacy plans that will drive greater female involvement in electoral processes at local, state, and federal levels.
According to Karofi, the goal is to go beyond the 35% affirmative action benchmark and create sustainable platforms that empower women to lead.
dRPC’s Communications Adviser, Mr. Raphael E., also took time to explain the mission, scope, and implementation partners of the SEPIN programme, including its affiliations with GIZ and the German Cooperation.
One of the key facilitators, Hajiya Aisha Bello, spoke on the roles and influence of women in power across different levels of government.
She stressed that female leaders can leverage their positions to attract development projects and policies that benefit women and their communities.
Moving Forward
The training is expected to conclude with a set of practical recommendations aimed at increasing media advocacy and community mobilization for female political participation. These include sustained public awareness campaigns, targeted support for women candidates, and inclusive policies that address structural and cultural barriers.
With women representing 51% of Nigeria’s population, according to UN data, participants agreed that there’s an urgent need to elevate their roles in political decision-making to reflect the country’s demographic reality.
The workshop reaffirmed that with strong media support, community involvement, and policy reform, more women in Borno State and the Northeast region can confidently contest and win election.
