The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule on Wednesday urged women to be more participatory in government to promote the ideals of sustainable democratic practices and values.
Adebule said this at the opening of “Women in Government” conference organised by the Department For International Development (DFID), South-West Region in Lagos.
The conference was put together in collaboration with the Lagos State Office of the Deputy Governor.
She said that such participation was a prerequisite for achieving political, social, economic, cultural and environmental security in Nigeria.
“The 35 percent slot for women participation in government is something that we as women must all strive to ensure that we meet up with.
“Majority of women are looking for appointments but we should work toward getting elective positions because it is only there that there are no opportunities to advocate for the course of women and the girl-child.
“The attitude of shying away from taking up elective positions cannot take us anywhere. Women should be bold, educated, and supportive and have the confidence and add value to themselves.
“It is when we do all these that the men folk will begin to take us seriously and give us the chance to showcase our potential,” Adebule said.
In a keynote address entitled “Empowering Women for Political Participation”, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) decried the under-representation of women in politics and governance.
Tinubu said that the society had yet to create an energetic and stereotype-free political space for women to enable them to participate actively in politics.
She urged women to work together to achieve a collective empowerment in the face of a male-dominated society.
Tinubu said: “We need increased participation that represents our population in politics to enable us to feel more relevant as productive members of the society.
“If we want to make the 21 century the woman’s century, we cannot wait to be called ‘leaders’, we must naturally embrace that role.
Also, Mrs Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, wife of the minister of Solid Minerals, urged women in leadership positions to develop an agenda for change by making a positive difference.
Adeleye-Fayemi also advocated for a constitution that would have an affirmative action and quota for women to stipulate their positions, needs and concerns.
“If you are incapable of serving and supporting other women and unable to leave an identifiable legacy behind when your time is done, you have wasted that space and it will be more difficult for another woman to be considered,” she said.
Dr Adesina Fagbenro, Regional Coordinator of DFID in the South-West, Also noted that democracy without the full participation of women was a contradiction.
Fagbenro said that women’s participation in civil society and government decision making is fundamental to inclusive governance without which good governance was not possible.
“No country can progress or prosper if half of its citizens are left behind or treated as a mere subject of the realm.
“Progress for women and progress for democracy go hand-in-hand toward sustainable development.
“If the government is to meet the needs of both men and women, it must build on the experiences of both genders,” he said.
The conference had in attendance Mrs Florence Ajimobi, wife of Oyo State Governor; the 2015 Presidential candidate for KOWA Party, Prof. Remi Sonaiya; and Mrs Sarah Sosan, former Lagos State Deputy Governor.
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