International Women’s Day: We need full participation of women in politics ― Ezekwesili

Former Minister of Education, Mrs Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili, has charged women to get more involved in politics as their full participation is needed.

Speaking at the virtual conference to mark this year’s International Women’s Day organised by Lead Generation Initiative (LGI) with the theme: “Women’s Leadership Development Programme”, Ezekwesili said, “we must get away with barriers that women can not do it.”

An aspirant in the 2019 presidential election said: “It’s only seven per-cent women we are seeing in political leadership today.”

She further said: “Women inclusion is very necessary as they optimise their potentials and they need to be part of decision-making.

“Sense of belonging must be given to our women; equal opportunities and empowering women for the nation for development. Empowering women to become leaders, women are trailing behind men in terms of participation in politics in the process of governance, development, economy, global interaction.

“There are barriers in full participation of women in society, ranging from the social norms, culture; barriers that are economic, political, networking, self-imposed. We all know those barriers where we have less than seven per cent of Nigerian women participating in the political process and political leadership of the country.

“Women inclusion does not benefit women alone but the entire society and they must be given a chance to lead because analysis shows that a society or community that enables women to optimise their contribution often thrive better.”

Meanwhile, the chairman/CEO of the Nigerian in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri, also encouraged women to participate in politics “and they must start from the grassroots.”

Dabiri said, “I never thought I would be involved in politics but I was encouraged to get involved and here I am today, I have represented my people for 12 years.

“It is not easy but it is in you and you need to start from the grassroots. As a woman, you must add value to what you do, work hard and believe in yourself.”

In her remarks, the Executive Director of Lead Generation Initiative, Chief (Mrs) Ayobola Peller, said the programme was designed to raise gender equality awareness, celebrate women’s achievements, inspire and encourage women to get involved in the country, socio-political process.

Peller said LGI knows how influential women could be in the development of our nation especially when given the opportunity to partake in decision-making, leadership and governance saying leadership should not have gender requirements, and so women should be given equal opportunity as men to lead in every sector.

“Our firm commitment to achieving this informed our decision to hold this conference, where great Nigerian female personalities, who have excelled in their various chosen career ranging from politics, business, corporate world, are invited as speakers and panellists to inspire and motivate a new generation of Nigerian women to choose to challenge and take action in the decision-making process in areas such as business, politics and corporate world.

“I am delighted to announce to us that as part of our activities to mark 2021 International Women’s Day, LGI will be empowering 12 young women across the six geo-political zones of the country with a business grant of one hundred thousand naira (N100,000) each, and another set of six young women with fifty thousand naira (N50, 000) each during this event.

“While the first 12 beneficiaries would be selected to win a business proposal grant of N100,000 each where participants are required to make a two-minute pitch video of their business or business ideas, the remaining six beneficiaries will be selected from the essay writing competition where participants are required to write essays on the topics discussed within the three breakout sessions.”

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