Reframing the Narrative: Lady Ejiro Umukoro’s Call to Action for Equity, Justice and Fairness on Gender Prisms in Nigeria

Multi-award winning broadcast anchor, social entrepreneur, author, policy advocate, and investigative journalist Lady Ejiro Umukoro is reframing the narrative on gender equality in Nigeria, emphasizing the need to recognize equality as a right to opportunities, not a threat to men’s roles. Speaking at a gathering of key stakeholders and experts in a virtual session on tech-facilitated gender-based violence and on International Women’s Day, Lady Ejiro addressed the cultural perceptions that hinder women’s progress in Nigeria.

“There’s a mentality that equates equality with competition against men. We need to reframe this narrative,” she stated. Lady Ejiro urged women to prioritize their rights and walk away from harmful situations, emphasizing that “equity is about fairness and justice. If a marriage threatens your well-being, you must choose your safety over societal expectations.”

Lady Ejiro also highlighted the patriarchal mindset that subjugates women, especially in northern Nigeria, where cultural norms often justify domestic violence. “Marriage is often seen as the ultimate achievement for women, leading them to endure abusive relationships to avoid societal stigma,” she explained.

Furthermore, Lady Ejiro stressed the need for holistic development, noting that both girls and boys must be raised with equal values and opportunities. She also emphasized the crucial role of the media in shaping narratives, urging for more reporting on women’s success stories.

Lady Ejiro’s call to action is clear: women must unite, prioritize their rights, and advocate for systemic change to achieve gender equality. By doing so, women can carve a path toward a more equitable future, inspiring generations to come.

Umukoro’s advocacy focuses on promoting holistic development, where both girls and boys are raised with equal values and opportunities. She emphasizes the crucial role of the media in shaping narratives, urging for more reporting on women’s success stories to inspire and empower women. Umukoro’s work has been recognized with several awards, including the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism’s Fellow of the Report Women! Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship.

Some alarming statistics support Umukoro’s advocacy:

Women’s Representation in Politics: Women hold only 5.6% of the seats in the Nigerian National Assembly, highlighting the need for greater representation and inclusion

Economic Empowerment: Women constitute the majority of the peasant labor force in the agricultural sector, while most others occupy the bottom of the occupational ladder, emphasizing the need for economic empowerment and equal opportunities

Domestic Violence: Umukoro’s novel, “Distortion,” addresses the issue of domestic violence in Nigeria, highlighting the need for greater awareness and action to address this pervasive problem.

Umukoro’s mission is to inspire greatness in people and create sustainable creative economies in a digitally converging global community. As a policy advocate, author, and social entrepreneur, Umukoro continues to champion women’s rights and empowerment in Nigeria.