No govt can achieve without inputs from women ― Bisi Fayemi

Wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, has reiterated the need for women to be properly integrated by the government at all levels in order to drive its policies and programmes.

She noted that the government would find it difficult to achieve its objectives for the people if women are not being carried along.

Fayemi’s wife stated this while speaking at a one-day Accountability Forum on the implementation of Ekiti Women Policy Agenda organised by the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD). The event was supported by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), USAID and UKAid.

Acting Director of NISD, Mr Olumide Martins, and the convener of the forum and Special Assistant to the governor on Civil Societies, Mr Biodun Oyeleye, said the roles of women in the actualising of the Sustainable Development Goals could not be overemphasised hence the need for the programme.

Oyeleye said women demanded the development of six thematic areas from Fayemi upon assumption of office in 2018.

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The focal areas, according to Oyeleye included: poverty reduction, empowerment, rural development, quality and affordable health care, reduction of gender-based violence and commitment to 35 per cent affirmative action.

Fayemi who spoke on ‘Strengthening Women Political Participation and Development, an Ekiti example’ advised more women to join politics for them to be relevant in decision-making processes.

She stated that it has become a key focus of the Dr Fayemi-led the government to improve on the well being of women, saying Ekiti is the first state to domesticate National Gender Development Policy of the Federal Government.

“Ekiti stands out in demonstrable political will in the enforcement of gender equality. The government has increased advocacy for the Prioritisation of the education of girl child, combat Child trafficking and slavery, putting laws like child rights law, equal opportunities law and the gender-based violence Prohibition law in place to protect the womenfolk.

“For Programmes and Policies of government at all levels to be achieved, women must be properly carried along in totality.

“I am not really happy with the number of appointments given to women in leadership positions in Ekiti, but this government has promised continual improvement.

“We know that the state is financially challenged to implement some of our programmes, but we are going to reach out to more development partners to be able to sustain our budgetary implementation. We are doing well, but we have to do better.”

Commenting on the significance of women to national growth and development, the NDI Resident Country Director, Mr Stephen Snook, said women participation at all levels of leadership helps national cohesion.

“I want to commend the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and the First lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, for fighting against violence against women, by putting laws in place to defend our women and mentor them to leadership positions. Women are strategic in leadership and we have to give them all necessary supports to be relevant in the decision-making process,” he advised.