The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), has admonished women to actively participate in the nation’s political system and not be dettered by the obstacles they face, noting that “a journey of a thousand mile, begins with a step.”
The association said women must begin to lay the foundation for political participation by using the forthcoming Edo state governorship election as a benchmark for other future polls.
National President of the association, Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim, gave the charge
at a forum geared towards “Engaging Grassroots Women for Robust Political Participation” held weekend in Benin City, Edo state capital.
The event was organised by the National Secretariat of NAWOJ in collaboration with Women Voice and Leadership Project (WVL) of ActionAid Nigeria, and funded by Global Affairs, Canada.
Hajiya Aisha who was represented by the Vice President, Zone D, Mrs. Chizoba Ogbeche said: “As Edo state is preparing for election, we basically want women to participate not withstanding the obstacles they face.”
Chizoba who is also the Deputy Editor of Blueprint Newspaper added: “this is our own first step. There is a thousand more to go, but if you don’t start with the first step, you will not get to that one thousand.
“So, what we are doing today, is laying the foundation for women to understand that we need to keep moving, notwithstanding whatever is stopping us.
“Even some of the men who are holding offices, it took time. They did not just come up. Some of them have contested for office once, two times.”
Also, the Chairperson of NAWOJ in Edo State, Adesuwa Ehimuan, urged women to desist from campaigns of calumny against fellow women, but team up with them in attaining their political aspirations.
Representative of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),
Toyin Olayiwola, discribed the programme as timely, adding that the commission is an advocate of gender inclusion in politics.
