By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – FOR the sake of equity, justice, and fair representation in the a democratic system, Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial district, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senator representing FCT, Ireti Kingibe, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) Women Radio 91.7FM and Convener VOW conference and awards, Toun Okewale Sonaiya, and others, have demanded for more leadership positions for women at the various levels of governance.

They made their demand at the 8th Voice Of Women, VOW, Conference and Awards, held in Abuja, and organized by Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation, with the theme, ‘Achieving women’s inclusion for sustainable Nigeria.’

They maintained that women in Nigeria need to take their rightful place in decision making tables as well as inclusion of women at the grassroots, and for their voice to be heard based on their strategic role they play in nation building as mothers, wives, and industrious nature to keep the nation alive.

The keynote speaker, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, in her keynote address condemned the zero safety-net for Nigerian women, whereby there still exist all forms of injustice, non-inclusion, and absence of basic and directly impacting socio-economic policies that adds value to the lives of women across the country.

Therefore, she called on relevant government organisations to ensure the commitment in protecting the women’s rights, particularly, those at the grassroots.

Highlights of the events include conferment of awards to notable Nigerians such as Otive Igbuzor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Mishap Antenna, Abiodun Oyebanji,Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, Kole Shettima, amongst others for their commitment towards women empowerment.

She said: “Year after year, we have found women relegated, our consent not met, the needs of our children ignored. How then do we take charge of our lives? How then do we ensure that our communities thrive in projecting the consent and needs of women primarily?

“Where is the safety net for women? Do we have shelters for abused women, women who suffer domestic violence. How well is society protecting and prepared to support these women?”, she queried.

Senator Ireti Kingibe also clarified the misconception of some Nigerians about women being in position of leadership and governance, which Kingibe pointed out challenges women in politics contend with as they want to contribute to nation building.

She said: “To me governance is bringing the most to the people.I want women to understand that during election, you are looking to vote for other women to ensure our general lives improve.

“The truth is that being a woman in the National Assembly is very hard. I have to lobby for everything, going from ministry to ministry.”

Also, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha made case for affirmed that, without the rural women, gender parity may not be realised, she stressed the need for increase in women’s representation, adding that women play key role in nation building.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Women Radio 91.7FM and Convener, VOW conference and awards, Toun Sonaiya, tasked President Bola Tinubu on implementing the 35 per cent Affirmative Action for increased women representation at the 10th National Assembly, which Sonaiya pointed out increased women representation would close the gender gap based on deliberate policies that would facilitate it.

“I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lend his voice and political will to getting the 74 extra seats bill passed by the 10th National Assembly.

“We need you to be deliberate and intentional, using your voice and political will to do more and elevate Nigerian women’s inclusion to global standards.”

However, while commending the President on the NELFUND loan, said more girls need to be considered instead of being dominated by their male counterparts.

In her welcome address, Chairman of the planning committee, and Founder Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, stated that the conference was a platform for stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue, and ensure support for grassroots women.

She highlighted discussions of the conference to revolve around actionable strategies that enhance women’s representation in leadership roles, reiterating inclusive governance as key to achieving national development.