Hon. Florence Diya, a former member of the House of Representatives and the President Women Mentoring Forum. In this interview with Usman Ibn A. Lapai, she says at least two women will be elected into the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
What is this Forum all about?
The Women Monitoring Forum has been in existence for about 15 years now. We are mentoring women for political participation and for leadership roles both at the state and national levels. We decided to form the forum specifically to create awareness and assist women to identify with the yearnings of the people. We also feel that letting them to know the importance of participating in politics will help them to take seriously the responsibility of positioning themselves for public service.
Of course, participation in public service can be through appointed or elected offices. The former does not come often and so the only option open to women is taking the bull by the horns by getting into the political field to seek the mandate of the people to represent the larger society.
As mothers, we know what our husbands, children and indeed the community need and being caring by nature we are in the better position to address these problems in the same tender way we address every domestic need of our respective homes.
Can you let us in into your political career?
I was elected into Kaduna State Assembly 1992, 1993. I was elected the second time to House of Representatives in 1999-2003. While in the House of Representatives as the chairman, Committee on Women in the House, one of the things we did then was to sponsor the bill for the disabled. The child’s rights bill was passed under us. Also, other issues that we addressed were the issue of violence against women and other women related issues.
At the moment, what l do in Kaduna state is to mentor younger women for political participation. Ahead of the general elections, we have been holding meetings, where we have urged women not to stand aside but get involved in the political affairs of their communities. And I must tell you this; their response by way of participation in these meetings has been very encouraging. We have had very stimulating meetings and we are delighted with the manner women are aligning themselves with political parties, supporting their female colleagues who are seeking the mandate of their people for elected offices.
How hopeful are you with regard to changing the usual nonchalant attitude of women towards elected offices?
We have two women councillors who won in the just concluded primaries in Chukun Local Government. We have another woman, Mrs. Amoi, who is one of the candidates seeking to be elected into the Kaduna State House of Assembly. They are all our members of our forum.
Why have you chosen to go into mentoring women? Is it that women are not coming out to participate in politics?
Yes, women are not participating enough in politics. So we thought we should mentor them to participate more in politics. We tell them the dos and the don’ts; tell them the challenges and the way out of those constraints, the merits of being involved in the running of their communities, and tell them the etiquette of politics. You know politics is a game but sometimes it can be rough especially in a culture where the women are at best to be seen and at worst not to even be heard at all.
So, we have taken the trouble to go out there and encourage them to come out but not to challenge the men, instead to collaborate with them to change the face of their communities positively.
And as managers of the homes, who have the capacity to manage resources and provide healthy meals, women who are in government, will most likely bring to bear their natural talents and assist to build their communities. They need mentoring and some encouragement to get involved and in fact keep the steam.
For example, if you want to go into politics as a woman, you must carry yourself with decorum. You have to carry yourself with respect, whether you are married or you are still a single woman. Decorum and respect are as a matter fact basic rules you must imbibe in order to conduct yourself well in an environment where women participation in politics is still held with reservation.
How have the men responded?
Yes, they have been very supportive because without their consents, these women wouldn’t have been here. They would not have attended our meetings and considering what it takes to embark in campaign tours, it would have been practically impossible for them to engage in rallies.
Are all the political parties represented in your forum?
Yes, they are all represented. We have the APC, PDP, Labour Party, DPP, and APGA, among many others. In fact, all the major parties are represented in our women forum.
How would you describe your experience as an old politician who contested alongside men? Was it challenging?
As an older politician, it has been interesting contesting with the men. Though, l must admit that challenges out there are many for the women. They are more than the women can easily handle unless they develop strong character and are determined to push forward in order to affect their communities positively.
So, there are many constraints: You have financial constraints, cultural hindrances, some grapple with religious constraints and other socio-cultural encumbrances that make women participation in politics too challenging.
You see, there are so many constraints, but if you again you look at the advantages, women have more chances to excel in whatever they do because in most committees now at the state and national levels, if there is a committee that has 10 members, they would say two must be for women. Just as they would say, there are three delegates in the ward; one must be a woman which means that the policy of governance is now recognizing women more and more. So if you look at women who join politics you find that they have more chances in excelling and more chances in participating than some of the men.
We are calling on them to come out and participate because by so doing they would be able to contribute their quota to the development of not only the state but the nation at large.
Are you promising us many women in the House of assembly this time around?
Yes, at least we would have two members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly. Last time, there was none at all. In this next assembly, we are praying to have between two to three women.
