Emma Ogbeche(from right) Adaora Onyechere (second from right) and GSAI Directors, third and fourth on the left
By Timothy Elerewe
The advocacy to give women their rightful place in politics and governance in the political scheme of things became louder yesterday as a Civil Society in partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) demanded for the position of Speakership in the 10th National Assembly.
The Executive Director, Gender Strategy Advancement International(GSAI), Adaora Onyechere observed that Nigeria had not been able to realize her immense potential simply due to the major factor of lack of women’s representation in politics.
“It’s tragic that women are marginalized in the Nigeria society, and this is particularly evident in the political erena” she explained adding that, ” women’s underrepresentation in parliament and governance is a great injustice and one that must be rectified if we are to achieve our full potential as a nation”
Explaining why it is important to include women in political office, Adaora Onyechere argued that women “bring a unique perspective to political decision-making and governance adding, that they have a different life experience and are often more in tune with the needs and concerns of the people they represent.
” Women are also more likely to prioritize issues such as education, healthcare, and social welfare, which are critical to the development of our nation”, she added
Also speaking at the press conference, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) Fct Council, Emmanuel Ogbeche lamented that women had not been given adequate opportunity to participate in the role of nation building particularly in politics
Ogbeche said the Nigerian media had a patriotic role to play in supporting the women to realize their full potentials in a men dominated Nigeria political space.
He therefore enjoined the media to give women free of charge the opportunity to show case themselves in their various platforms and spaces in order to get the best for the society.
