NCWS mentors women to aspire for political offices

The National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), has pledged to establish a mentorship programme platform that would aid the capacity of aspiring women seeking for any elective position across the country.

The National President of the Council, Dr Gloria Laraba Shoda, made this known in Abuja, during an event organised by the Council in honour of female Ministers and legislators. 

Dr Shoda submitted that such programme would help to prepare the female aspirants to know the rudiments of governance when seeking for elective position in any capacity. 

She urged the women not to relent in their efforts in vying for any political offices as their men counterpart. 

“Having conducted a thorough research in the 774 local government areas and the FCT, the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), came to the conclusion that we must urgently establish mentorship programmes to build the capacity of aspiring female political leaders across the country.

“We felt that in light of the gender disaggregated data at our disposal, initiative to address the gender gaps in the political space has become imperative,” she said.

Speaking earlier, a Member of the Nigerian House of Representative from Abia state, South east representing Isuikwuato- Umunneochi Federal constituency, Hon. Nkiru Onyejeocha, also stressed the need for equal representation amongst men and women in government.  

She said even though she does not see women better than their male counterparts, insisted that they must be treated as humans possessing same rights as the men. 

The lawmakers who was represented by the chairman/technical director, Dr. Ejike Orji, who received an award on behalf of the lawmaker, said “as a woman rights activist, I will not say that women are better managers than men or women better than men; anybody can be judged by his or her merit but everybody should also be given equal chances.

“Government should create more spaces for women. If we do not, we may be reducing 50 percent of our human race.

“If you have a family that a woman is an illiterate compare it to a family that has a graduate as a wife, you will see a great difference.

“My opinion is that women be given the right space to operate. We must not decree to avoid discriminating against somebody. The standard should be made equal for everybody. Don’t say this standard or position is for men while the other is for women. Create space for women to compete.

“You cannot invite women to an occasion to be spectators, to make noise. Invite them on their own levels. The way you invite men, please invite women but mind you, whoever is given chance to appoint people should bear in mind that choice has consequences; at the end you are the one to bear it,” she stressed.

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