Akaje Maimunat reports 
Women in Focus, a division of The New Digest Press at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, has organized a webinar training focused on the roles of women in journalism.
The training, held on the Google Meet platform, attracted a diverse audience of both male and female reporters of the pressboard.
Themed “ Women in Media: Breaking Barriers and Overcoming Challenges,” was facilitated by Mrs Mariam Abdullahi, a professional journalist from The Cable and the visionary force behind the forum.
Mariam shed light on the various categories of journalism, emphasizing the significant contribution women can make.
“ As a woman, your journalistic prowess should extend beyond the confines of opinion pieces,” she asserted. “ Embrace the opportunity to delve into diverse realms and advocate for the underrepresented voices in the world of women.”
Addressing the participants, she emphasized that gender should not be a limitation in journalistic pursuits.
“ You are not confined to a specific category; instead you have the liberty to engage in a diverse form of journalism, be it climate change reporting, mental health, lifestyle coverage, investigative journalism, gender and inclusion story, or business and politics.”
She continued, “ Amplify the voices of the voiceless by bringing attention to the stories and perspectives that often go unheard.
“ Your role as a journalist holds the power to shape narratives and contribute to a more inclusive and representative media landscape.”
Encouraging women to overcome fear and poor communication skills, she suggested practical steps. “ You can make a short video of yourself, broadcasting an event on campus and craft a captivating headline for publication.”
Drawing from her personal experiences, Mariam shared insights on breaking barriers in journalism, referencing her time on campus. “I used to write about anything while on campus. Covering the lifestyle of ‘yarinya’ girls in hostels involved gender and inclusion stories. I also delved into business stories and politics,” she recounted.
As the session ended, she further encouraged every participant to reflect on their main insight and specify the aspect of journalism they intend to focus on going forward.