Neptune Prime Media House, in collaboration with the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, hosted a critical symposium at Kashim Ibrahim College of Education, Maiduguri.
The symposium aimed to draw attention to the unfair treatment of women and girls in Nigeria, with a particular focus on the devastating effects of insurgency in Borno State.
The two-day workshop attracted 60 participants and featured leading voices in gender advocacy and conflict resolution.
The keynote speakers, each with unique expertise, provided comprehensive insights into the symposium’s theme, “Highlighting the Unfair Treatment of Women and Girls.”
Bilkisu Malla Dalo, a gender rights advocate, kicked off the event by addressing “Gender Inequality in Nigeria,” exposing the structural and cultural barriers that hinder women and girls from accessing equal opportunities across education, politics, and the workforce.
This was followed by Usman Mohammed Kaigama, a conflict and development expert, who discussed “The Aftermath of Insurgency Affecting Women and Girls in Borno State.”
He painted a stark picture of the long-term socio-economic impact of the insurgency, noting how the destruction of infrastructure, forced displacements, and trauma disproportionately affect women and girls.
Mohammed Umar Mustapha, a security analyst, wrapped up the panel with an in-depth analysis of “Women and Girls as Targets of Insurgent Violence in the Northeast.”
His presentation highlighted the systematic targeting of women and girls by insurgent groups, including abduction, forced marriages, and gender-based violence, and called for immediate interventions to protect these vulnerable populations.
The symposium concluded with a call to action, urging both government and civil society organizations to prioritize gender-sensitive policies and support systems that address the specific needs of women and girls affected by the insurgency.
The collaboration between Neptune Prime and the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism underscored the power of media and investigative reporting in shedding light on these pressing issues and driving policy change.
