The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, has emphasised the importance of succession of women in every sphere of leadership, charging the older generation of women in politics to mentor and lobby positions for the younger generation of women politicians in order to achieve inclusive governance in the country.
Tallen made the call in Abuja during a conference tagged: International Dialogue on Leadership and Participation of young women towards 2023, held on the theme: “The role of Young Women in Politics and Governance” organised by 100 Women Lobby Group and Centre for Gender Security Studies and Youth Advancement of the University of Abuja
Represented by her Senior Special Assistant on Technical Matters, Mrs Jummai Idonije, Tallen called on experienced women politicians and experts in other fields to support and encourage the younger generation, particularly female to attain various leadership positions in political space and governance.
According to her, every woman need to lend a shoulder to another woman to lean on, in order to promote intergenerational dialogue and advancement.
“This will enable the younger generation of women to be mentored at every level of government such as the national, state and the local governments.We need to hear the voices of young women in all strata of the society,’’ she stressed.
In her opening remarks, the National Coordinator of the 100 women Lobby Group Mrs Felicia Onibon, said it was important that utmost attention was given to young people particularly the women, due to their poor representation in governance.
“The organisation provides an avenue to improve participation and role of women in politics and governance gearing towards achieving 35 per cent affirmative action at all levels. At tany political arena when you talk about youths, people think about young men not women, so, we have decided to create space for young women to air their views.
“The organisation also assists to create and increase awareness for women including political aspirants on their constitutional rights and strategies for winning election. We are also going to have a mentoring line for experienced female politicians to engage younger women in advocacy, lobbying and participation in political issues and governance.
The Director of Gender Security Studies and Youth Advancement at the University of Abuja Prof. Ekundapo Ocholi, stressed the need for equal representation in achieving good governance in the country.
Similarly, Prof. Irene Aguloye, African Drama Gender Women and Film studies, University of Jos, described the conference as “timely” saying young women were ready to take up their positions in leadership.
“We the older ones can no longer toil with their opportunities; we should lead the way and allow them to seat with the adults so we know what they want. The future belongs to them and if we don’t start mentoring them right now to get them involved they may want to result to other means which would not be favourable to the country.
Aguloye encouraged the younger generation to acquire formal education and to start politicking from school to enable them have solid and grounded political foundation.
