Stakeholders lament women marginalization in politics

By Covenant Oluchi Ikedinobi

Stakeholders have thrown their weight behind the need for women to embrace politics and be visible politically by way of tackling the challenges inhibiting their impact in the political space.

www.odogwublog.com informed that this stakeholders as well lamented the poor participation of women in politics and visibility in leadership in Nigerian politics.

This was made known at a one day special workshop organised by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka in collaboration with Civil Resource Development and Documentation (CIRDDOC) and Anambra State Inter-Party Women’s Network (ASIPWN) held in Awka.

The workshop was attracted by Prof. Stella Okunna, the First female Professor of Mass Communication, in Sub Saharah Africa, for stakeholders in Anambra State.

www.odogwublog.com reports that this is the third stage of the workshop having organized for media practitioners and students.

Flagging off the workshop, the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Prof Charles Esimone, FAS maintained that Nigerian problems will be solved if women are given the right position in the political sphere.

Professor Esimone further canvassed consideration of women to get involved in politics and decision making, as according to him, women are naturally exposed towards love and protection of interest of human beings.

The UNIZIK VC who was represented by a a former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration and Professor of Law, Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi as well lamented that the patriarchal society has made women not to think for themselves.

He expressed the hope that “when women sit together, they will have a smooth way to solve the problem of poor visibility in politics, decision making and leadership positions.   

The VC’s rep with bias in Women and minority rights suggested that a 12 woman committee be set up in Nigeria to look into Nigerian problems and profer solutions.

On her part, the convener of the workshop, Prof Stella Okunna decried the high level of marginalization of women in politics despite that women are near in parity in population with men in Nigeria.

The ACU grant awardee further decried a situation where the 52:48 ratio between men and women are not reflected in politics and decision making.     

                           
Okunna who was the Chief of Staff in the Peter Obi administration in Anambra State and Director of Unizik FM 94.1 Mhz revealed that men’s tendency to dominate politics is because of the notion of patriacial society, regardless of the fact that there are more women participation in politics,in voting and mobilization, beyond the facade of cheerleadership.

She listed cultural barriers, religious bias, negative perception of politics, poor empowerment in terms of financial resources, self-esteem, and male chauvinism as barriers women face in political participation and decision making positipns.

She maintained that, time has come for women to be decision makers in government, adding that culture and religion are potent tools used in suppressing moves against women participation in politics.

Earlier in a key-note address, the Director of International Collaboration and Linkages of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Professor Ifeoma Enweani-Nwokelo decried the declining number of women participants in politics, due to cultural, financial, religious, self-esteem syndrome, gender stereotype, lack of economic opportunities and social expectation that men are better leaders. 
She urged women to take a bold step, oblige themselves with civic duties including having voter card and participating actively in politics in order to reverse the trend.

Prof Enweani-Nwokelo known as a women Empowerment crusader was represented at the occasion by her daughter, Mrs Sonia Okonna. She decried the inability of Nigeria to produce woman President, Governor or even Senate President.

She therefore advised women to rise up to the challenge by possessing voters card and obtain necessary skills and education which will help them become relevant in the political landscape, adding that women should be confident in themselves and build up their self esteem.

Contributing, a resource person, and Project Director of CIRRDOC, Mazi Jerry Udochu identified with the challenges facing women in politics, stressing that marginalization has led to exclusion of women in Nigerian politics.

Udochu pointed out that lack of political will, lack of economic, material and human resources, lack of internal democracy, political violence,lawlessness, corruption, illegalities, rigging patriarchy, godfatherism,and male-dominated party executives, discriminatory laws and gender blind politics. While frowing at women for supporting Sarah Jibril when she aspired for Presidency on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Udochu pointed out that “if women use their numerical strength, men will come begging.”                                                     Also speaking on the sub-theme, “The Way Forward,” the Secretary of Inter-party Network, Hon. Ify Okonkwo advised women to be more practical in political participation, and working to hold a stake at whatever level of politicking to be recognized a real stakeholders.She advised women against identifying with more than one parties, urging them to have one voice, unity and one accord to attain more relevance.                                                            In his paper, another resource person and Publisher of National Link Newspaper, Nnewi, Comrade Tempest Udeze blamed the Church and Women for not making it impossible for the female folks not to take advantage of their numerical strength to dominate the political space, structure, leadership and decision making positions.

In his remarks, the Director of News and Current Affairs, Anambra state Broadcasting Service, ABS Awka, Comrade Gab Okpalaeze blamed African society for its social reconstruction that make people look down on the female folks and as weaker sex rather than power house .

While urging women to hold on to good values, Okpalaeze said women will make the society better if allowed to occupy leadership positions.

www.odogwublog.com reports that the workshop with grant from Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) theme was “Enhancing Women’s Participation in Politics and Visibility in Leadership.”