By Raheem Anifa
In a society where women are often discouraged from pursuing careers in male-dominated fields, Muhammad Habibat Sani, a 500-Level Law student at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto(UDUS) has faced intense ridicule and backlash for her bold decision to become a journalist.
Habibat’s passion for journalism is driven by her conviction that the profession should be open to all, regardless of gender. However, her pursuit of this liberal idea has come at huge cost, where she has faced a series of abuse, threats, and public embarrassment, simply for daring to defy traditional gender stereotypes and pursuing a career that defies societal programming: Journalism.
“There was a time I wrote a piece like that on the SUG matter then when there were issues. I wrote a piece about it and it was a kind of investigation; image illustration, so, then I was in class and I heard some people saying: who did this? They never knew I was the one, so they were discussing that girl must be stupid and they might beat her up,” she said.
Habibat recounted the numerous backlash she had faced over making stories, particularly from those who appear at the centre of her stories.
“I hear comments from people like, so this person writing this is a female. We have even dealt with a male so hers will not be that difficult to deal with. Sometimes, this really gets me scared but due to one or two motivations, I just continue,” she said
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Sex before speech: Fatima Idera’s Story
For Fatima Idera, a student of Ajasin University Akungba Akoko Ondo State (AAUA) her ordeal as a female journalist took on a very disturbing narrative. She remembered the indignity she was subjected to when a source demanded mating with her just to obtain vital information.
“Reflecting the major challenges faced as a female journalist, I remembered how I was nearly forced to have sexual intercourse with a source before he could speak to me which I rejected, advancing a bribe with money to get him to speak,” she said.
Fatima could not help but to wonder if being a female journalist is a crime. She was quite all the more disturbed how interviewing a source comes with a promiscuous compromise, apparently indicating that females are treated as subject of vulnerability.
“I was not weighed down by the attitudes we get generally from men because I have experienced several bullies from them. I have also lost count of how many times that I was told journalism is not for females. Yet, I remain steadfast . Just that I pray people should find reasonable and good sources to speak to for their report to fly,” she advised.
More Ordeal
Miriam Omede, another female journalist at Prince Abubakar Audu University Ayingba said she equally faced similar challenges but her own was not to gender vulnerability.
“Honestly, I have not faced any challenge specifically because of my gender. Most challenges I have faced are the general issues experienced by journalists both male and female, she said.
Despite facing numerous challenges, Miriam noted that being a female journalist has not hindered her ability to obtain statements from sources. However, she shared disturbing accounts of the sexist remarks and stereotypes that female journalists often encounter, and offered insightful suggestions on how to combat this pervasive issue.
“I have heard stories of female journalists who have faced some challenges due to their gender such as discrimination, abuse, (especially verbally) and unnecessary hardship.
“I would advise that more initiatives be set up to address the peculiar challenges faced by female journalists and newsrooms should set up mechanisms to address the challenges faced by female journalists and provide training, legal aid and psychological support,” she said.
Henry Adelegan Jesunimofe, a student at Redeemer’s University, reflected the challenges encountered and embraced it as part of her journey that paved the way for her success in journalism. She gave a suggestion that provides an enabling environment for female journalists to thrive.
The environment needs to be safer. The same way I can carry my camera in other countries very freely is not the same way I will carry my camera in Nigeria. I am already scared. There are already issues in the country that just need to be addressed to make it a more conducive environment,” she stated.
I always have difficulty interviewing a male source—Meikudi Asiat.
Meikudi Asiat, a female campus journalist at UDUS said male sources were reluctant to engage in interviews. According to Asiat, men often prove to be rigid and inflexible, making it difficult for her to obtain quotes and insights for her stories.
“When you want to interview a source and the source is male, immediately he sees you having been the victim, he won’t respond well to you. They would ignore and don’t give you the regard as a journalist,” she said.