Women's Participation In Politics Is Essential – Adeleke-Sanni

Women’s equal participation and leadership in political and public life are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

To this end, women should not be left out in the decision of electing political leaders at the helms of affairs of the country or the state, hence the need for women to be alive to the responsibility of ensuring a worthy and qualified leaders are elected.

The Convener, Concerned Nigerian Women for ATIKU, CONWA, Chief Mrs. Modupeola Adeleke-Sanni in a statement issued at the inauguration of the Southwest zone of the group said women must come out to work together to elect good leaders.

The statement quotes, “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.” - Margaret Thatcher.

"Gone are the days when women are only heard but not seen in the decision making, this era allowed for women to be actively involved in all strata of political decision making as it affect the social and Economy development of Nigeria".

Chief Mrs. Sanni who noted that Women constitute a powerful electorate with millions of votes, said, "Nigerian women signalled their intention to make their voices heard in the last Presidential election, accounting for about 47.14 per cent (39,598,645 million) of the 84,004,084 million registered voters nationwide".

"Women’s plight are typically regarded as non-consequential to the government. Our women are at the receiving end of bad policy, representation at all levels and even in programmes of past and the present administration.

"Hence assuring them of dividends of democracy as outlined in the manifestos and agenda of His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar GCON become a message of hope to all Women in South West region of our Nation".

She commended Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the introduction of new Electoral Act and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, which has assured a credible voting process in Nigeria.

Chief Mrs Sanni urged all members across the zone be very active and responsive to historic struggle to deliver the zone, the Southwest region for our great party. United we stand for progress and national development of women.

In her inaugural address, the Southwest Coordinator of the CONCERNED NIGERIAN WOMEN, Hon. Hauwa Folake Ahmed said the group is a social political group for various women, political class, artisan, technocrats, youth, students and every women that have vote in the forthcoming Presidential election.

She said the aims and objectives of the socio political group is to work for the victory of our Presidential candidate, His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar GCON, and his running mate His Excellency Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Hon. Ahmed stressed the need to sensitise women from different groups for the next General election and assure them of well representation and participation of women in the coming dispensation. 

"To achieve this, we have our grassroots mobilisation structures who are trained in canvassing voters through DOOR TO DOOR approach, market square visitation, town hall meeting, youth and student hangout etc.

"Networking through media space, our Women bloggers and social media influencers take up the media in promoting our candidates His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar," she added.

Source : Funmi Aina