By Ebunoluwa Sessou

Some of the issues highlighted during this year’s Womanifesto Dialogue 2021, were kidnapping, insecurity, endless child birth, Almajiri children, early child marriage, opportunities for women in politics, inclusive governance, Girl Child education, orientating the boy children to respect the girls, rape, gender based and sexual violence among others.

With the theme, “Connecting Voices for Transformative Leadership, Agenda 2023′, various voices including  of women in parliament, education, leadership, business, CSOs as well as the grassroots  who spoke at the two day seminar stressed the need for the participation of women in politics and decision making process to allow for development, advancement and growth in Nigeria.

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The two day discussion was also an avenue for women to pour out their anger against all manner of discrimination and suppression meted on women.

The programme which was held in Lagos was sponsored by the United Nations Women, Macarthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, GTU, GIZ among others.

Affirmative action
One of the lead conveners, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi harped on the need for affirmative action and continuous discussion of the conference’s issues and matters arising for effective and efficient governance, policy and decision making.

Rapporteur and Communiqué Lead, Princess Olufemi Kayode, one of the organizers, disclosed that the conference is a safe place for women to have their voices heard especially on things that concern them.

According to her, the conference is focused on how to increase women’s participation in politics so that when policies are made, issues concerning women can be considered.

“Women suffer the most when it comes to issues and they are the most affected even in the IDP Camps. In issues of security, they are mostly damaged.

When it comes to rape, health, war, education, loss of accommodation, food insecurity, inflation among others, women suffer the most.

“Women lose their husbands in war and the majority of them suffer when there is no development.

There is no opportunity for women to excel or flourish to be able to contribute to the development of the nation.

Women are good as business managers, home managers and they can multitask.

“Countries that give opportunities to women are sure of rapid advancement, development and progress.

So, when we give opportunities to women, it is for the progress of the nation and the future generations.

“Like Rwanda, Nigeria needs to give women opportunities to flourish and this is the time.

In politics, we must not make things difficult for women.

During COVID-19, nobody talked about how lockdown would affect women.

“The issue of gender based violence, what are we doing? The number of women in the House of Assemblies, Senate, and House of Representatives is very low.

The percentage is 97:3 per cent.

“We need equal opportunity and representation so that our voices can be heard.

The number of women in the parliament is not enough to represent Nigerian women; we need more so that our voices can be heard.

“The men have been controlling the resources for so long and they are not giving us enough advantage to be able to have our voices heard in the right place.

Adamawa Governor, most gender friendly, says female lawmaker
Kate Raymond Mamuno, JP, member representing Adamawa State House of Assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Appropriation and Budget, lamented that women are confronted with all kinds of challenges in politics.

She maintained that there is a need to strike a balance by legislation.

“Sometimes, these policies or legislations are meant to favour certain individuals in the society,
“As a nation or people, it is pertinent to look at our background. What is workable in Adamawa State might not be the same in Lagos and this is because of our environmental factors including customs, traditions and religion.

When you are passing a Bill or sponsoring a Bill, you have to consider all those factors.

“You need to harness these Bills such that one will not supersede the other or offend the other factors.

“We need to speak out and be heard and begin to showcase the ability that you are capable of doing things that would bring impact to the society, even to the men.

You do not have to be too naive or selfish to remain at your level.

You have to diversify.  Whatever we are doing, you have to understand that we need each other and ensure that we do not hurt the other fellow.

“We need to organize a town hall meeting so as to be able to actualize better legislation”, she said.

She however applauded the Governor of Adamawa for being gender friendly and the confidence he reposed in women.

“The women are given the lion share in the Adamawa’s Appropriation Bill through the poverty alleviation office.

There is a budget for women and youth empowerment to be skillful, self-reliant and when it comes to politics, the Governor is working to ensure that women join politics through the women groups.

We only need to tap into this initiative so as to be able to contribute our own quota.

Direct primaries will throw up more women, says Kaduna lawmaker
Also, Comfort Amwe, member representing Zanga local government, Kaduna State House of Assembly, and the only female lawmaker in the North Western Zone of Nigeria, described the conference as timely as it launches women to decision making in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

“Such a conference should be replicated in the North West of Nigeria and every other region of the country.

“In 2023, more women should contest some positions. With the amendment Electoral Law, of direct primaries.

A greater number of the population of Nigeria is women; Women should be focused and determined.

They should not be tired or discouraged.

They should go and register, join political parties, and take up positions.

As a member, you have equal rights.

If women are in positions of power, all the ills ravaging women will reduce and she ensures that the Laws are implemented.

“We do not have many women in politics.

We have just a few women. Others do not believe in politics because they have been brain washed that politics is meant for prostitutes and they men tried to discourage them.

The other few that are ready to come out do not have the opportunity because there are lots of challenges.

Violence and inflation

Amwe lamented that although various Bills on gender based issues have been passed, implementations have been a major challenge in the country, adding that with awareness and perseverance, we will achieve.

In Kaduna, the judgment for rape is castration or death sentence.

One of the women lamented that many women suffer domestic violence because of increase in prices of items, including of cooking gas.

“Many husbands beat their wives because of cooking gas and Nigerian government should rise up against this problem.

Most of the incidences of violence can be linked to economy inflation”.

Female Genital Mutilation, FGM
However president, Centre for Grassroots Women’s Advancement and Development, Oyo state, Titilayo Adefioye disclosed that FGM is used as money ritual and many families are involved in it by cutting off female babies’ clitoris for rituals.

She lamented that if actions are taken to address this issue, FGM would not be allowed in Oyo State.

Another participant, Adenike Shobajo disclosed that  when the dialogue kicked off in 2015, the conversation has always been around men but since they changed the narrative, there has been tremendous change
She however expressed concern that the dialogue has not shown specifically in the number of selective and elective positions.

“We should look at those things we have left undone as well as those things that we need to remove from our dialogue.

We need to attain the position where we can walk the talk.

“We have women who are competent and have value to add to the society”, she said.

Also, Bolaji Olaronke from the University of Ibadan, department of philosophy said, “If we are ready to be liberated, women should support themselves, encourage one other and be determined to get to the seats of power”.

Amb Rita Ekpo said we must understand how important we are as women in the society, community and the nation at large.

“We must say no to discrimination in the workplace, homes and speak out. A lot of women are dead emotionally.

We must create awareness and encourage women to speak out against intimidation, suppression, depression and dehumanization of any kind.

“If we have a happy woman, we will have a happy home and happy nation”.

Vanguard News Nigeria