2023 :Nasarawa women plan to contest elective position,decry marginalisation

From Francis Nansak Lafia

A section of women under the aigis of Leagues of Women Voters,have taken a stand to contest available elective positions in Nasarawa state come 2023.

Stating their reasons on the age long marginalisation of women in elective and appointive position in governance of the state.

The women in a one day sensitization programme which took place in the hall of Nursing House at Bukan Sidi, on Thursday,said the aim of the workshop was to further educate women on the need to contest election along with the men folks, empower and to increase awareness to women for participation in politics.

The women who decried marginalisation in participatory politics,were however,faulted by the senior special assistant to the governor on special education,Hajya Hajara Danyaro,who represented the Nasarawa state first lady,hajiya Silifat Abdullahi Sule.

While delivering the message of the first lady,she said women should take the blame for non participation in active politics, as the women folks do not show strong support to their women counterparts,who indicate interest to run for any elective post in the state.

Hajara Danyaro,charged women in the state not to fault the men folks ,instead blame themselves for inactivity ,saying women are the ones that marginalised themselves from politics.

But in a communique,the women urged that government at all levels implement the 35 % affirmative action  to enable women achieve  greater participation  in politics for the growth and development of the country.

This was signed and issued by the chairman , communique drafting committee , Mrs Grace  Gideon and secretary, Esther Akaa,  at the end of  the  one day  sensitisation workshop, on gender equality and women’s  participation in Nigeria’s politics, organised by  the League of Women Voters, Nasarawa State Chapter.. 

The communique observed that women  actively participate  in voting during elections but are still underrepresented in both elective and appointive positions, adding that in  Nasarawa State, there is currently no woman in any elective position, no female in the state House of Assembly as well as local Government Council in the state. 

“The male dominate political environment than their female counterparts, who though compete with them, but the  men are still the major determinants of political actions.  

“Women folk are disadvantaged as from the initial stage of western former education as female were behind their male counterparts making them more disadvantaged than the others.

“Women contribute 3/4 of all agricultural work in addition to their domestic responsibility, thus the task performed by women is an indication that women work more longer hours than men.

It therefore called on stakeholders to mobilise women into greater political participation ,  motivate and encourage them towards political contests, while urging women to use their numerical strength to provide support for credible female contestants  to get more women into political positions.

The communique also encouraged  women organisations to  create forums for generating funds for women who wish to contest elective positions knowing that campaign and electioneering processes are capital intensive.