Women charged to reposition for leadership, governance

Nigerian women have been urged to re-strategise for significant impact in the society by repositioning in leadership and governance.

This was the thrust at the seventh Voice of Women conference and awards (VOW2023) held, yesterday, in Abuja.

Kwara State Governor and Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who spoke at the conference, said that women had been major cheerleaders for his administration that focused on gender mainstreaming in the state.

He said in Kwara, women are in charge, with 56 per cent of them in his cabinet.

The governor, while urging women to have an alternative plan should 35 per cent affirmative action not work, said: “As Chairman of NGF, in partnership with Governors Wives’ Forum, women can constitute a policy where for example states and constituencies that elect them into legislative Houses can benefit financially.”

In her remarks, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, who stressed that women should be on the table where development plans are rolled out, said: “Nigeria cannot continue to stand on one leg as we do at the moment. Women constitute almost 50 per cent of our population and we need to complement each other by creating the right opportunities as every nation’s success is tied to the activities of women.”

Also, Chairperson of VOW, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, said that in spite of the many challenges that we continue to face as African women, we have managed to make the case for women’s leadership. We have changed political landscapes in Liberia, Rwanda, Namibia, South Africa and Kenya to mention but a few.”

She said that despite the fact that Nigerian women were among the better educated and wealthiest in Africa, it was not translated into political power, featuring poorly on most global indicators.

Convener of VOW conference and Chief Executive Officer, Women Radio 91.7 FM, Toun Sonaiya, who stressed the role of the media in promoting women’s political participation in Nigeria, said: “We ventured beyond our operational base and are penetrating different geopolitical zones and communities through a collaborative partnership with media and women-led organisations to amplify women’s voice and advocacy for change.”