Mainstreaming gender in governance
The low representation of women in governance particularly in elective positions is one of the challenges facing women in the country. This spurred the agitation for a 35 percent affirmative action for women’s participation in politics as obtainable even in some smaller African countries. The calls have recently changed to that of 50-50 percent representation.
Women have a lot to contribute to the development of any nation and the fact that they constitute over 50% percent of the country’s population underscores the need for them to be mainstreamed into governance.
With 2015 around the corner, women from the elites to those at the grassroots need to be enlightened on why they should be involved in governance and also prepare to aspire to various positions.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in collaboration with the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) yesterday held a one day national sensitization seminar on mainstreaming gender in governance at the National centre for women Development Abuja with the theme “Do the right thing: mainstream gender in governance for national transformation”.
There was also the launch of a software developed by Mr Edward Samuel, a staff of NOA called FAKAEDU which is named after the first lady and focuses on promoting maternal, child and health education.
In attendance were market women, various women organizations and those in other walks of life.
A market woman who attended the function and gave her name as Riskat Shehu said it is time for more women to go into politics so that they can bet- ter speak and protect the rights of women particularly the less privileged ones and also change the country for the better.
Director-General, National Centre For Women Development, Ms Onyeka Onwenu said there can be no development without women saying a key feature of good governance is equity which is equal treatment for all members of the society.
She said democracy is about fair representation of all interest groups in the society and the low representation of women is a violation of the principle of democracy. She advised women not to vote for anybody who does not have any clear agenda on improving the lots of women.
Onwenu said the inclusion and mainstreaming of gender in party constitutions and manifestoes can be an important tool for encouraging women to participate actively in politics.
President of the National Council for Women Societies, the umbrella body of women associations in the country, Mrs Nkechi Mba said gender mainstreaming started from the beginning of the world and it is very important women are mainstreamed in the governance of the country.
President of the FCT Market Women Association Hajiya Felicia Sani said women should strive to work for peace in the country as they aspire for public office.
Declaring open the forum and launching the Fakaedu software, Dame Patience Jonathan said she looks forword to the day a woman will become the president of Nigeria. She said women are effective leaders, and home makers and mainstreaming women in governance and national development must be given priority attention.
She said she also hopes the affirmative action will be entrenched in the Nigerian constitution.
She said: “The women have said it, they can do it, please carry them along.”