By Justina Auta
The National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) on Wednesday urged women to discourage their husbands and children from thuggery, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Mrs Lami Adamu-Lau, National President of NCWS, made the call at a symposium to mark the 100 days in office of the newly inaugurated officers of the council.
The theme of Adamu-Lau’s presentation was, “Transition Politics: Challenges and Prospects of Gender Inclusion in Nigeria.”
She said the event was aimed at embracing the optimism of Nigeria women and an opportunity to provide an up-to-date disposition to strategise towards participatory political leadership.
“Therefore, as mothers we should strongly discourage our husbands and children against political thuggery even as the country is faced with security challenges.
“I am urging all Nigeria women to go out there and participate in the ongoing Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) registration.
“NCWS is planning a nationwide sensitisation of Nigerians leveraging on the window of extension.
“I sincerely hope that this interaction will strengthen our commitment to continue to work closely together in support of improved gender inclusiveness in political activities and other sustainable developments in Nigeria,” she said.
According to her, the new officers have been able to develop a roadmap for achieving the vision of the council for the next five years, particularly promoting women in leadership and governance.
She listed their other achievements to include promoting economic empowerment for women, stimulating actions to strengthen legal and policy framework to end violence against women and girls, amongst others.
she added that the NCWS would partner with National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to train 50 women in each state of the federation including the FCT, totaling 1,850 women on skills acquisition.
The president also said that the National Council for Arts and Culture, would also support NCWS to train and empower more vulnerable women on skills acquisition to enable them contribute to National development.
Also, the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, represented by Mrs Jummai Idomije, encouraged women to change the narrative by ensuring that they participate in the PVC registration.
“The 2023 general elections is around the corner, go and get your PVCs and encourage others to do so. And we say no to violence during election,” she said.
Similarly, Dr Ramatu Tijani-Aliyu, Minister of State for FCT, urged Nigerian women to continue to advocate for improvement in their welfare.
The minister, represented by Mrs Hadiza Mohammed, Executive Secretary Social Development Secretariat, called for inclusion in decision making and improvement in the living standard of the Woman.
“We must say no to marginalisation. We must press for increased slots in the National Assembly and Ministerial appointments.
“Let this symposium be to brainstorm on the challenges facing us in this direction and to find ways of surmounting them using the instrumentality of politics of inclusion and integration,” she said.
According to Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) women’s participation enriches democracy and makes it more responsive to the aspirations of the people.
Yakubu, represented by Victoria Eta-Messi, Deputy Director, Gender Relations Division, said the commission is stepping up Voter Education activities with emphasis on increasing women’s participation in the electoral process through sensitisation and mobilisation programmes.
On her part, Mrs Ladi Bala, National President Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), urged women groups to continue to advocate for more women participation in politics, economy and appointive positions.
