Electronic Media: An Advocacy Tool

Most times, we want to see changes in our villages, towns, cities, and society in general. And sometimes, when these anticipated changes occur, the media becomes our friend; willing to air news of achievement and celebrate our success stories.

When talking about change, it's common to have a quick imaginative inclination of sudden transformation.

But, all-too-often, especially in my part of the world, change can be relatively slow. And why not? Afterall, change is a process, not an event. It doesn't happen literally at the blink of our eyes or by the snap of our fingers. Although change can happen fast, there are peculiar factors that could impede it. However, that's not the main focus of my narration.

In the last four years, more than ever, my work at TeenGirls Development Foundation has exposed me a great deal to the electronic media space.

I have leveraged Radio and Television platforms to project my voice as that of hundreds and thousands of young girls and women around the world. 

I have brought to the attention of the general public, social issues that girls and women face, ranging from Child Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, Teenage Pregnancy, Lack of Access to Education, to Sexual Violence and Abuse.

I have also asked for youth inclusiveness as it pertains to the economic, social and political spheres.

I have joined my voice with that of hundreds of young people at the Youth Model African Union, and the African Youth Community to engage stakeholders on the need for policy reforms, and the building of strong and independent institutions in my country, Nigeria.

I have been part of the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum, virtually, discussing youth-lead solutions to the most pressing global challenges.

Thus, this has earned me a badge of honour in my community as a Gender and Youth Advocate.

Our youth volunteers have equally engaged with the public; taking awareness to the unreached in rural communities and inner cities.

They have been hosted on radio and television shows to add their voices in advocating possible solutions to the challenges our young people encounter educationally, socially and politically.

Having our work centred around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, and 5, and seeing our seemingly little efforts bring great results and impacts, have proven that everyone can contribute to societal change and that now is the time for increased youth participation in national development.

For me, championing initiatives, leading teams, being part of youth delegations, and having media interactions have provided avenues to bring to the attention of political, religious and business leaders, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, and other individuals, reasons for the urgency of actions towards improved social development bordering on the SDGs.

With this, I strongly believe that to let our voices be heard, we must use effective advocacy tools, and I daresay that electronic media is one of such tools!