Second lady Samira Bawumia has called for the media to put women’s issues at the forefront of their coverage and also to highlight the incredible achievement of women in society.
Samira made the call whilst delivering a speech at the opening of this year’s West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA) themed “Media and Women Empowerment in Africa” in Accra.
WAMECA was organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), with support from the United States Embassy, Ghana, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Stanbic Bank, Hewlett Foundation and the Canal France International (CFI) Media Development.
Mrs Bawumia said it had been estimated that it would take 67 years to close the average gender equality gap in traditional news media.
“This means for our continent where there is relative stagnation, deliberate, sustainable, and urgent action must be taken if we are to achieve parity in the shortest possible time,” she added.
The Second Lady also urged women to take up positions of influence including serving in public office in order to help shape policy and “influence decisions that affect us.”
“Let us also be deliberate about looking out for talented young women who have the potential to rise to the top. Let us serve as their mentors and provide them with encouragement in order to achieve their dreams,” she added.
Mrs Bawumia used the opportunity to congratulate MFWA for the initiative and for being a distinctive voice and a relentless champion of press freedom for the past 25 years.
Source: theGhanaianVoice.Com