In line with the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, Breaking the bias, a group of female journalists in Rivers and some states in the Niger-Delta region is empowering members to excel in their careers.
Known as ‘The Step-Up Media Network ‘, the group is a network community of focused, brilliant, vibrant female journalists who are eager and determined to maximise their potentials in the profession through capacity building, networking and entrepreneurship skills.
It connects members to opportunities, offers more spaces and voices for women and gives prime attention to issues of gender-based violence.
With an active WhatsApp group, the network has provided jobs and training opportunities for members on writing pitches amongst others.
The founder and the Executive Director of the Network, Ann Godwin, recalled that the group was established after her Leadership project for the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) Female Reporters LeadershipProgramme with the tremendous support of her seasoned mentor and the Executive Director of Media Career Development Network, Lekan Otufodunrin.
According to Godwin, the craving desire to help female Journalists maximize their potentials, grow and fill up leadership spaces necessitated the media Network platform.
“I realized that there are lots of leadership spaces and so much vacuum to fill in the media profession, especially among women, so I had the craving desire to birth this platform for female Journalists to be advance in their career, network, explore and utilize opportunities.
“We are here to give each other a lifting hand, help ourselves to grow. We charge the women to believe in themselves, develop the “I can do spirit” and then begin to fill up leadership spaces”; she explained.
Godwin who is a Correspondent of The Guardian in Rivers State noted that the turning point in her journalism career was the Report Women training with seasoned mentors who gave her full-fledged support to realize her vision.
While the initial training started with 17 female journalists from print, electronic, online platforms in the state, the group now has over 40 members in the network, with some based in Lagos, Imo, Cross Rivers, Edo and Akwa Ibom states.
The Executive Director expressed gratitude to WSCIJ for the empowerment which she said has emboldened her to take the giant step in the formation of the media Network
” Though there are lots of miles to cover, I think so far our achievements are worthwhile. I have seen united, determined minds who are eager to change the narrative of female journalists. They have never been altercations between us despite that some members have PhD, MSc degrees and other qualifications. We all humble ourselves being driven with passion. Some members have been connected to job opportunities, training and even some organisations seek our partnership in some of their programmes, we are delighted about this great feat,” she stated.
On the challenges of running the organisation, the Executive Director said the network can achieve more amazing results with the necessary support.
“We need international organizations and donor agencies to buy into this idea, support it and assuredly the results will continue to be amazing. We desire more, we look forward to making this group a formidable media NGO that will continue to birth female leaders in the newsroom and other sectors of the economy”.
Apart from being the assigned mentor for Godwin on the Female Leadership Project, the Executive Director, Media Career Network said the Step-Up vision resonated with his, hence the need to support and encourage Godwin and her team.
“I believe journalists need functional networks like this to address career issues and maximize opportunities. I was also encouraged by the participation of the female journalists at the first training and their continued interest to learn more and enhance their careers. It was clear Ann had a passion to coordinate the network beyond the Wole Soyinka fellowship and I am glad the outcome had been very positive,” he said.
Otufodunri called for support to the media network as it has the potential to bridge the gap in providing continuous training and networking opportunities for journalists outside major media cities like Lagos and Abuja.
“Step-Up Media Network definitely has and should be supported by all to accomplish its goals. Networks like this are usually in Lagos and Abuja, but Step-Up Media Network has turned out to be a good model to emulate even by those in Lagos and Abuja. We need to build the capacity of journalists nationwide and this is what this network has shown the capacity to do”.
Otufodunrin expressed satisfaction in the accomplishments of the group noting that it is worthwhile and sustainable.
“I am very impressed. Unlike networks that don’t last long, this has proved to be worthwhile for all, the coordinator is very committed and members are very active. Groups like NAWOJ has some things to learn from Step Up Media about meeting the needs of female journalists”.
Speaking on the impact of the group on female journalists, Chairperson National Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ, Susan Nwikhana sees the network as a medium through which female journalists can be empowered.
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“Since the group came on board, I have been following events and has made contributions where necessary. This Step-Up Media Network is helping women journalists take their eyes off brown envelopes mostly expected by many journalists from people after doing reports,” she said.
Nwikhana noted that the media platform teaches journalists how to think outside the box, do investigative Journalism, research on peculiar issues and gain outstanding awards and other benefits that follow.
A member of the network, Ngozi Anosike said since she joined the group, she has learnt a lot about available opportunities for journalists.
“My eyes have been opened to opportunities accessible by only hard work journalists. With its programmes and campaign, the network can eradicate copy and paste journalism thereby replacing the overwhelming junk Journalism with professionalism practices,” she said.
Also Uyo based member, Iniabasi Umoh stated the network has a huge impact on her by reason of association.
“Step Up Media Network has helped me in building a network with professional colleagues in the media both nationally and internationally thereby advancing my Journalism career,” Umoh stated.
