By Fatima Muraina

The Side by Side (SBS) Media Advocacy Movement has urged media organisations across Ondo State to join forces in the fight against gender-based violence and to advance gender justice.

At a press conference held in Akure, Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Oke, Ondo State SBS South-West Zonal Head, emphasised the movement’s commitment to two key objectives as part of the follow-up to the demands arising from the Transformative Gender Justice (TJG) Conference held in Abuja in March 2025.

He outlined plans to mobilise faith and traditional leaders to support the cause and called for the allocation of 30 per cent of the state budget towards gender equality initiatives, stressing the need for transparent public reporting of such funds.

Rev. Dr. Oke further appealed to media representatives to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the SBS movement and Ondo State government, establishing a collaborative framework to strengthen the media’s role in advocating for gender justice.

In his welcome remarks, Mr. Monday Osai, Executive Director of the African Center for Leadership, Strategy and Development (LSD), expressed the media advocacy’s dedication to positioning the SBS movement as a leading force in holding governments accountable for gender-based legal and budgetary reforms, as well as the promotion of women’s rights.

Represented by Dr. John Oladapo, former Ondo State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Osai explained that the event was designed to equip journalists and media houses with evidence-based arguments and fresh story angles. This is intended to intensify public pressure for reviewing progress and addressing gaps in the domestication of the Maputo Protocol, implementation of gender-responsive budgeting, sponsorship, and swift passage of the Gender Equal Opportunities (GEO) Bill currently before the National Assembly.

A document shared with the press outlined the key action points, including calls for the publication and tracking of annual scorecards detailing each state’s efforts in domesticating gender justice reforms. It also urged the establishment and empowerment of monitoring bodies—gender machineries—within all ministries to ensure consistent momentum in implementing the provisions of the Maputo Protocol.

Among those present at the event were Alhaji Dr. Yusuf Olalere, Co-Chair of the SBS Movement in Ondo State; Deaconess Grace Ademokoya, former Chairperson of WOWICAN; and Alhaja Medinat Omikunle, President of FOMWAN Ondo State, who are all active members of the movement.

The gathering underscored a collective resolve to leverage the power of the media to dismantle systemic barriers to gender equality and create a safer, more equitable society for all.