Toun Okewale-Sonaiya
As the 2019 general elections draw near, some organisations across the country, including Women Radio FM 91.7, Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), Women In Politics Forum (WIPF) and others have advocated for gender equality in political participation.
They maintained that until the equation was balanced or at least improved beyond what it was at present, Nigeria’s democracy would continue to face challenges in crucial areas in which the menfolk have failed.
Alluding to the Beijing Declaration of 1995 in China, which advocated for more women participation in politics and decision-making, they said it was important for the male gender in Nigeria to concede some critical positions.
In a bid to actualise their proposition, the women organisations have planned a summit to set the wheels in motion ahead of 2019.Chief Executive Officer, Women Radio FM 91.7, Mrs. Toun Okewale-Sonaiya, who spoke on the programme said: “The aim of the summit, scheduled to hold at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, is to assemble all women politicians, who have expressed interest to contest various elective offices in next year’s general elections.
“The summit will enable all women aspirants to work together and strategise to win more elective positions come 2019.”Expatiating on the summit tagged, ‘The 2019 General Elections Women Aspirants Summit,” Okewale-Sonaiya said one critical point on the agenda was to bring together women with diverse experiences to further advance their participation in political processes and governance.
She said those expected at the summit include women presidential, governorship, senate and House of Representatives aspirants in the next general election, adding: “Our theme is ‘Working together for 2019’. This is the first of a kind and we are focusing on several paramount issues, including resource mobilization for campaigns, campaign team management, media visibility for women seeking elective positions, negotiating party hurdles amongst other pertinent issues.”
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Women’s Leader, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, said female participation in politics has taken a hit due to lack of encouragement and mentorship.She said women by nature are endowed with unique capacity to shape lives, stressing that in legislative discussions, they could raise issues and priorities related to society’s most vulnerable members, particularly children. She noted that such issues could be debated differently if there are adequate women representations in legislative arm of government.
In her remark, a delegate to the 2014 national conference, Chief Temitope Ajayi, described women as the engine room of any nation and the face behind the mask of any leader. Also, former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, while calling for more involvement of women in politics, stated: “Not having women in leadership positions placed the country at a disadvantage, as it would not function with its full repertoire of skills and talents.”
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