By Elizabeth Adegbesan

The Petroleum and Natural Gas  Senior Staff Association of Nigerian, PENGASSAN, Women Commission, PWC, has taken the campaign for women participation in trade unions to the grassroots to boost women participation in unionism.

PWC also informed that the campaign which include interactive sessions with all members,   would aid increased women participation in top leadership positions in the country.

 Speaking at the PWC  Town hall meeting during her visit to Lagos zone, the National Chairperson of PWC worldwide, Ada Mbanaso said: “The essence of this tour is to familiarize with members, encourage them, equip them with all the tools that they need so that they know they are capable and equally qualified for these other positions that are dominated by men.

“Our main aim is bringing leadership to the grassroot because in the past we found out that other national leadership relate with their members from the top but we decided that we go below the bottom to actually relate with them, hear from them, interact with them, know their challenges and the way forward; to actually make sure that there is increase in women’s participation in unionism.  

“We cannot achieve our aim of becoming leaders in strategic positions unless we actually understand trade Unionism.“In the face of numerous challenges, we have witnessed the unyielding determination of women to break barriers and chatter stereotypes.  

“Despite these achievements there is still much work to be done.

“On her part, Chairperson, PWC, Lagos zone, Nikki Duru, noted that the commission, previously known as Women in PENGASSAN, WIP, was signed into law in 2022 with the part of its aim consisting of creating enough platforms to nurture and build women to contest for other positions which   they never ventured.  

In his solidarity speech, PENGASSAN Lagos Zonal Chairman, Abeng Eyam, highlighted the need for women inclusion for economic growth saying: “As we interact and engage I want us to bear the following things at heart that a society that flourishes is a society that gives women an enabling environment to strive. 

 “Development and growth is inevitable when you take away women from the equator because women are not just mothers, they are also the continuity of God’s plans.  

“If we do not deliberately give women the platform to shine we will not get the best for women.

”On her part,the Chairperson, Lagos Trade Union Congress Women Commission, Onasanya Adeyosola, urged women to embrace success, rebrand themselves and defend their rights.

She said “Today we want to bring a message of hope that this is the time for us to use our shared identity , knowledge and wisdom to confront our numerous challenges and face the societal vice heading for the benefit of our members. 

 “I want to call on better synergy among us through networking for sharpening our edges, rebranding ourselves individually and collectively, defending the rights of our members, whenever, however and wherever they may be trampled upon.”