Leadership should never be decided by gender and this is our belief at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ). Which is why a just, inclusive, transparent and accountable Nigeria, stimulated by an ethical and sustainable media is our vision.
In view of the several socio-cultural factors hindering girls across Africa, the theme of the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, “The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis”, comes as a powerful reminder to religious, traditional and political leaders across the world to create a system that can allow the girl child to truly thrive.
To bring this home, UNESCO’s 2023–2024 Global Education Monitoring data, shows that about 18.2 million Nigerian children of school age are currently out of school, one of the highest figures globally. Also, a UNICEF-supported analysis further reveals that 62 per cent of these children are girls, most of them living in northern states where insecurity, poverty, and harmful norms make education forbidden.
At the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), we understand that the stories told about girls determine how the world sees and embraces them. Through our ReportWomen! programme, we have spent over a decade amplifying the voices of women and girls who lead change, often from the margins and amid crises.
We have produced six documentaries, first in 2015 on issues affecting girls and women, with five more focusing on each cohort of the FRLP fellowship. We have also conducted four research studies, including ‘Missing Data, Missing Justice’ . Our FRLP fellows have published 148 investigative stories and implemented 150 leadership projects, all centered on advancing the rights and wellbeing of women and girls.
This is to say that we understand that the media remains critical to the change that the world seeks. When journalists ask hard questions, expose untold stories, and amplify the voices of girls, they do more than report, they shape public discourse. And we are proud to support journalists in telling these critical stories with empathy, evidence, and integrity. The media is not just a mirror to society, but a spotlight, exposing injustice and inspiring action.
On this day, we promise to continue driving visibility for women and girl’s voices in media and leadership through our resources like the ReportWomen! experts source guide, a living database of over 500 female experts across key sectors, launched in 2024, to ensure that the girls who lead today can see themselves reflected in the women shaping tomorrow’s conversations.
