Last week, stakeholders in women participation in governance, held a-one day workshop in Anambra state, where they brainstormed on ways of getting more women in the south east region not only interested in politics, but to also aspire for top offices in government. OKEY CHRIS reports
Creating enabling environment for women As 2019 general elections draw nearer, stakeholders from South east geopolitical zone of Nigeria, comprising traditional rulers, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, rights activists and nongovernmental organisations have unanimously resolved that creating enabling environment for women to thrive in politics and governance would go a long way in repositioning the country.
The stakeholders, who spoke at a-one day programme entitled “Agenda for advocacy for active participation of women in politics and governance in South east Nigeria,” organised by Idikacho – Women in Governance (I-WIG) in collaboration with the Department for International Development (DFID)-Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL), attributed the developmental and political challenges confronting the Igbo nation to exclusion of women in politics, governance and decision making.
According to them, experience has shown that most developed countries, regions and states in the world were those with records of greater women involvement in governance and other democratic processes at the grassroots, traditional institutions, religious institutions, state, regional, national and global affairs.
They urged people from South east region to leverage on glaring performances of their worthy daughters like late Professor Dora Akuniyili of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), late Chief Mrs Jannet Muokelu, the first female parliamentarian of Igbo extraction and others, to sponsor, elect or appoint greater number of qualified or experienced women in villages and towns unions, traditional rulership cabinets, markets, age grades, churches, NGOs and civil societies groups, three arms of governance across tiers of governments, civil service, associations and others.
Speaking at the event, Ijeoma Chukwuemeka, who stood in for the Head of DFID Nigeria, Debbie Palmer; the DFID Governance Social Development Team Leader, Oliver Blake; and DFID South east/South south Regional Coordinator, Olachi Chuks Ronnie, described governance as an important aspect of every society which if the process is well managed will lead to improved service delivery.
Chukwuemeka added that women in Nigeria and South east have proven the confidence reposed in them by people through their performance in various positions they have occupied so far, and enjoined people of the region to give them chance on 2019 general elections and beyond.
Barriers to women participation in politics Delivering a lecture, a legal practitioner, Barrister Ifeoma Katchy, enumerated barriers to women participation in politics and governance to include socio-cultural beliefs, attitudes, biases and economic disadvantages, stereotypes, religious doctrines and political education, which she equaled appealed to be push aside for societal growth and development.
Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) represented by the Enugu Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Emeka Ononamadu, while noting that women’s contributions were needed to drive democratic processes, encouraged the female folks to leverage on their intimidating populations to seek active participation i n government for good governance to thrive.
On his part, the traditional ruler of Nawgu, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra state, Igwe George Okaa- Onwuogu, who was among the few monarchs honoured at the event for co-opting women in their traditional rulership cabinet, appealed to men to shove the ancient mindset that women should be consigned to kitchen or subdued under their influence at all times, because according to him, level of developments in America and even his community (Nawgu) were as a result of women’s involvement in governance and policy making.
The monarch also enjoined states houses of assemblies in the South east to enact laws allowing women free rides on greater number of leadership positions across the three arms of government.
Speaking also, the traditional ruler of Agbadani, Achi in Orji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, Igwe Johnson Ozo-Adibe, who was equally honoured for making women over 60 per cent members of his cabinet, called organisations and institutions to embark on consistent mass advocacy campaign, seminars and workshops to enlightened old and young men on why they must support their daughters, wives and sisters to join political parties, contest and win positions.
On her part, the Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Rita Maduagwu, advised women to be united, stop showing hatred and use of unprintable languages on their fellow women at leadership positions, which according to her, contributes to decrease in number of women in politics and governance.
Aspire for offices Maduagwu also called on women to showcase their worth in society by joining political parties and political activities, as well as to aspire for offices wherever they find themselves rather than waiting for sponsorship.
Another lawmaker, Hon. Chief Pamela Adindu, the Deputy Majority leader of Enugu State House of Assembly, enjoined Idikacho Women in Governance (I-WIG) to teamup with other women groups to carryout baseline data of women actually in governance in the region, women aspiring to retain their positions and vacant positions they should sponsor women to occupy on 2019 general elections.
Some representatives of political parties namely; All Progressive’s Grand Alliance (APGA) Ebonyi state, Willy Okolo; Anagor Michael, Enugu APGA; Azubike Ikechukwu of All Progressives Congress (APC), Abia State; Chidi Imo of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Abia State; Ogbodo Okwu Justice of Enugu PDP; and Flora Njoku of Social Democratic Party (SDP); vowed to offer free tickets and other necessary supports for women inclusion and emancipation in 2019 general elections and beyond.
Mrs Ifeoma Chukwuma, the Regional Team Leader, Partnership for Engagement Reform and Learning (PERL) funded by DFID, while recalling that her organisation partnered I-WIG to share lessons of their successes in Anambra state to women in other parts of the region with a view to encouraging greater women participation in politics and governance, urged political parties and other stakeholders to commit to their promises to involve women in partisan politics and governance for betterment of all.
Professor Mercy Anagbogu, the founder/coordinator of I-WIG, who explained that the organisation seeks to empower women to aspire and acquire elective and appointed positions and also to vote during elections, urged the stakeholders not to relent on their supports to increase women active participation in politics and governance.
