International Women’s Day should not be reduced to empty speeches and symbolic gestures. It should be a moment of truth, a time for industries to assess their progress and commit to real change.
International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 may have been marked on Saturday, March 8, but the conversation on gender equality cannot be limited to just one day. This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action’, is a clear reminder that progress must move beyond discussions and translate into real, measurable change.
The media, which plays a key role in shaping public opinion and influencing national discussions, remains largely controlled by men at the leadership level. Despite many women’s hard work and achievements in journalism, they are still being shut out of top positions. If the industry truly values fairness and balance, it must take deliberate steps to ensure women are present in newsrooms and leading them.
A recent report by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) highlights the gender gap in newsroom leadership in Nigeria. Women hold only 25.7 per cent of leadership positions, while men occupy 74.3 per cent. In print media, female leadership is almost nonexistent at just 4.6 per cent, while online platforms are slightly better but still weak at 5.5 per cent. Radio and television have somewhat higher numbers, yet men still dominate top roles. These figures are not just statistics; they reflect a system that continues to push women aside, despite their skills and contributions.
The lack of women in leadership affects not just the profession but also the type of news that is told. When men control most editorial decisions, issues that matter to women can be downplayed or ignored. In a country where women make up nearly half of the population, it is unacceptable that their voices remain in the background of important discussions. Leadership in media is not just about who holds the highest positions but also about whose perspectives are represented, whose issues are prioritised, and whose experiences shape public understanding.
The obstacles preventing women from advancing in media are deep-rooted. Society still expects women to carry most family responsibilities, making it harder for them to take on demanding roles. Within newsrooms, the culture of long hours, unpredictable schedules, and subtle or outright discrimination continues to push women back. Promotions are often informal and based on personal connections, making it easier for men to rise. Even when women break into leadership, they face tougher scrutiny than their male colleagues and must work twice as hard to prove themselves.
This problem is not limited to Nigeria. Around the world, women in media still struggle to reach top positions. The World Economic Forum has projected that at the current rate, full gender equality may not be achieved until 2158. In Australia, women earn significantly less than men, are promoted less frequently, and receive fewer bonuses and incentives. In many countries, newsrooms remain male-dominated, where women’s career growth is slower, and their opinions carry less weight in editorial meetings. This is not just an industry issue—it is a reflection of a wider society that continues to limit women’s opportunities.
This year’s IWD theme, Accelerate Action, challenges those in charge of media organisations to do more. If they are serious about gender equality, they must move beyond mere words and take bold steps to put women in leadership roles. This means reviewing hiring and promotion systems, creating leadership training programmes, and breaking the biases that hold women back. It is no longer enough to celebrate women once a year while keeping them out of positions of power.
Newsroom culture must change. Work policies that allow for a better balance between professional and personal life must be introduced so that women do not have to choose between career growth and family responsibilities. Strong mentorship and sponsorship programmes should be created to help young female journalists rise through the ranks. Women must not just be included in leadership spaces—they must have real influence in decision-making.
Beyond newsroom policies, the way women are represented in the media also needs to change. The WSCIJ report shows that only 7.1 per cent of news content focuses on women, while men dominate 92.9 per cent of news stories. This needs to improve. Media organisations must make a deliberate effort to include more female voices, highlight women’s achievements, and ensure that both men and women are fairly represented in reporting. A more inclusive media is not just fairer—it also improves the quality of journalism.
Education plays a key role in closing the gap. More young women should be encouraged to pursue journalism and given the tools they need to succeed. Universities and training institutes must introduce gender-focused lessons and provide female students with mentorship opportunities. The recent achievement at the University of Lagos, where 18 students of the mass communication department were first-class graduates, is proof that women are excelling academically. Yet, if the workplace remains biased, these brilliant young women will struggle to break into leadership. The problem is not ability—it is access.
Men in the media must also be part of the solution. Gender equality in leadership is not just a women’s issue—it is an industry-wide problem that affects everyone. Male leaders must support policies that promote fairness, mentor female colleagues, and challenge the structures that benefit them while holding women back. A newsroom with strong female leadership is better for journalism as a whole, offering a wider range of perspectives and richer storytelling.
The responsibility to drive change does not rest solely on media organisations. Policymakers must also play their part by enforcing gender-inclusive policies, ensuring equal pay laws are upheld, and holding media houses accountable for their hiring and promotion practices. Governments and civil society organisations must work together to build an environment where fairness is not just encouraged but required.
International Women’s Day should not be reduced to empty speeches and symbolic gestures. It should be a moment of truth, a time for industries to assess their progress and commit to real change. The media industry has the power to influence how society sees gender roles, but it cannot do so effectively if it remains stuck in outdated practices. If women can top their classes in journalism school, break major news stories, and set the agenda with their reporting, then there is no reason why they should not lead.
This year’s theme is a challenge to everyone in the media industry. Words are no longer enough. Media houses must put in place clear steps to ensure that women are not just included in newsrooms but are leading them. The excuses have run out. The time for change is now.
The demand for action must go beyond performative commitments. Media organisations must set clear, measurable goals for increasing female leadership and track their progress over time. Too often, discussions on gender equality result in vague promises without accountability. It is not enough to state support for women’s advancement—companies must publish data on gender representation in leadership, commit to specific hiring and promotion targets, and ensure that women are given equal opportunities to lead editorial teams, manage investigative projects, and make high-level decisions.
It is also essential to address the gender pay gap that exists in many newsrooms. Women in media frequently earn less than their male counterparts for doing the same work, particularly in leadership roles. Transparent salary structures and pay equity audits must become standard practice to ensure women are fairly compensated. In addition, women should have equal access to leadership training, fellowships, and networking opportunities that have historically favoured men.
The challenges women face in media leadership are not limited to pay and promotion. Many also endure workplace harassment and discrimination that make it even harder to thrive. Newsrooms must adopt and enforce strict policies to prevent harassment, provide safe reporting channels, and hold perpetrators accountable. A culture that allows women to work without fear of intimidation or bias is one where they can rise and lead.
The future of journalism depends on its ability to reflect the voices of all members of society. A media industry that continues to exclude women from leadership is failing in its duty to inform, educate, and hold power to account. Women are not asking for favours—they are demanding the fairness that should already exist. If Accelerate Action is to mean anything, it must translate into hiring more women, promoting more women, and making space for them at the highest levels of decision-making. The time for waiting is over. The time for action is now.