The President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr Isaiah Kemje Benjamin, has called on journalists and media organisations to eliminate gender stereotypes in sports reporting and ensure fair coverage, equal visibility and professional recognition for women in sports.
Benjamin made the call while presenting a paper titled “Gender-Sensitive Journalism: Removing Gender Stereotypes and Bias in Sports Reporting” at the two-day Annual Women in Sports Leadership Training/Seminar for Journalists, organised by the Women Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) in Abuja.
The seminar ended on Tuesday.
The SWAN president described gender-sensitive journalism as a collective professional responsibility, noting that the media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception, determining which sporting achievements receive attention and influencing sponsorship, investment and the overall development of sports.
He explained that media coverage could either reinforce the barriers confronting women in sports or help dismantle them through fair and balanced reporting.
“Gender-sensitive journalism is not about favouring women. It is about ensuring that gender does not determine whose achievements matter, whose voices are heard or whose stories deserve to be told,” Benjamin said.
He identified common forms of gender bias in sports reporting to include disproportionate coverage of men's competitions, emphasis on female athletes' physical appearance rather than performance, unnecessary references to marital status and the use of different descriptions for similar behaviours by male and female athletes.
Benjamin urged sports journalists to extend coverage of women's sports beyond major international competitions and national team victories, stressing the need for sustained attention to domestic leagues, emerging athletes, coaches, referees and sports administrators.
“Women’s sports should not receive attention only when a national team wins a trophy. Sustainable visibility comes from consistent storytelling throughout the sporting calendar,” he said.
On the commercial potential of women's sports, the SWAN president challenged media organisations to recognise how inadequate coverage and promotion could restrict audience growth, sponsorship opportunities and investment.
He encouraged journalists to leverage digital platforms, athlete profiles, interviews, tactical analysis and regular reports on domestic competitions to improve the visibility of women in sports.
However, he cautioned against sensationalism and the exploitation of athletes' private lives for online engagement, advocating responsible reporting that prioritises sporting achievements and professional contributions.
To address gender bias, Benjamin recommended the adoption of gender-sensitive editorial guidelines, regular audits of sports coverage, increased use of women as expert sources, continuous professional training and stronger grassroots reporting.
He also called for equal access to mentoring, international assignments and leadership opportunities for women journalists, emphasising that men must actively participate in efforts to eliminate discrimination within the sports media industry.
Benjamin reaffirmed SWAN's commitment to ethical journalism, capacity-building and professional mentoring, while pledging stronger collaboration with the NOC, sports federations, leagues and clubs to improve access to information and coverage of women's competitions.
He commended the NOC Women Commission for organising the seminar, noting that responsible journalism could expose discrimination, promote accountability, attract investment and ensure that talent, performance and leadership receive appropriate recognition in Nigerian sports.
“Gender-sensitive journalism must be fair, not favourable. Our duty is not to protect women from legitimate criticism. It is to ensure that they receive fair treatment, consistent scrutiny and appropriate recognition,” he stated.
Other resource persons at the annual workshop included media professional Mr Calistus Ibare and the immediate past Director of Press and Public Relations of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr Mrs Kehinde Ajayi, alongside other speakers.
They emphasised the need for stronger representation and visibility of women in the media space.
Dignitaries at the event included the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko; Director-General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade; President of the NOC, Engr. Habu Gumel; and Chairperson of the NOC Women Commission, Prof. Florence Adeyanju.
The press release was signed by Ikenna Okonkwo, Secretary-General of SWAN, and dated October 28, 2026.
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