2019: Women should be visible

The role of women in the society cannot be overemphasized and so will politics in Nigeria change if more women are given the chance to prove their capability of ruling the country. Nowadays, women do take part in politics but only few amongst the large population of women do so. The mentality of men being the head over everything has taken over the minds of almost everybody thereby reducing the number of women that participate in politics.
We fail to understand that gone are the days when women were treated as minors because we are living in a civilized world where it is believed that what a man can do, a woman can do better. We now have women who are doctors, lawyers, business moguls, journalists, engineers, among others. With more women in politics, the story of leadership will change because women will not only provide solutions to the problems and budgets that have been left stagnant for a long period of time, but will also go a long way by implementing the policies and proffer solutions which would be for the betterment of the society and the world at large. In Nigeria, about 95% of those engaged in politics are men. This is not because women restrict themselves from participating but because men see it as an act of disregard for a woman to rule over them. Nigerian women are too courageous and industrious to be left out from partaking in the economic, political, social and educational growth of the society.
For instance; in 2011 a total number of 20 persons contested for the seat of the president in Nigeria and only 1 amongst them is a woman and again in 2015, only 5 women out of 14 persons contested for the post of the vice president while 14 for that of the president. As good citizens, we all need to re-orient our olden day culture and traditionalism and pave way for more women to have their own say on political matters and issues concerning the development of the nation.
We should unite as one to provide sound education to our girls, ladies, women and mothers so that the entire world would change for our own good. It would be a thing of joy if we get to understand that Nigerian women’s role is not only in the kitchen.
They also have their own part to play in nation building. We should not just neglect them by making them do all the house chores and forgetting that they can also lend a helping hand. In terms of appointment, political parties should encourage women to participate by enlightening them more on the importance of their presence, support and participation in politics.
Also, by appointing women as leaders of particular groups, it would build confidence in them thereby making more women to participate. The way forward is that policies should be made and implemented concerning the active participation of women in politics, especially regarding the upcoming 2019 election. By so doing, Nigeria would definitely move to the next level. Maryam Maina Wagami, Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri