Group tasks women on political positions

Group tasks women on political positions
NAN-HG-7
Women
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Feb. 12, 2018 (NAN) Hajiya Zainab Mohammed, the Convener, Nigerian Young Women Political Forum (NYWPF), on Monday urged women to seek political positions for an inclusive society.
Mohammed made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
“Less than 11 per cent of the legislators at the National Assembly are women, some states have no women in their Houses of Assembly, most political parties hardly have women occupying executive positions, national working committees or even delegates.
“It is a very sad narrative for a group that constitutes half of the population, what a sad narrative for our mothers and sisters, what a sad narrative for the hands that rock the cradle,’’ she said.
Mohammed said women had borne the brunt of manmade social construction called gender, which had translated into roles and responsibilities allocated to people based on their sex.
She said the roles had been greatly influenced by class, religion, age, culture, ethnicity and urbanisation.
Mohammed said the Nigerian woman’s story was distinct because the gender relations were deepened as a result of strong cultural and religious backgrounds.
She called for the change in mindset, saying some men had tailored women to think they do not belong in the public space.
“Nigeria has an estimated population of more than 85 million women, 65 per cent of which are young women, who constitute an untapped reservoir of talents and potentials that are necessary for the progress of our dear country.
“They represent the gold mine of population needed to change the very sad and ugly narratives of the under representation of political participation at the national, states and local levels.
“From the rural to the urban, masses to the elite class, young and old, in all shapes, sizes and colours, women share peculiar and common interests and challenges, but our voices are too weak, too few and too far to be heard,” she said.
Mohammed said the laws bothering on rights, protection, representation and well being were not strongly enforced yet needs were increasing.
She, however, called on government to ensure that no one was left out in leadership, governance and nation building.
NAN reports that NYWPF is a platform for young Nigerian women from diverse backgrounds, interests and party affiliations to share knowledge and experience for economic empowerment and political influences. (NAN)
OEO/IFY/MST
Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole/Muhammad Suleiman Tola