Nigeria, recently, set the pace in creating a roadmap for women inclusion in leadership at a one-day conference of stakeholders from various countries, ENE OSHABA reports.
Stakeholders have continued to seek innovative solutions to gender imbalance in leadership and governance. This is not withstanding several policies, and advocacy campaigns in place to promote gender equity and balance even as huge gaps still exists in economic empowerment and leadership across Africa and particularly in Nigeria.
Women have consistently proven their ability to excel in various fields, from entrepreneurship to corporate leadership. However, a significant number of women continue to face economic disparities that hinder their progress.
The Voice of Women Conference (VOW 2023) addressed these disparities and unveiled strategies to unlock the economic potential of women.
This is why thought leaders, policy makers, advocates, and other stakeholders were invited from Namibia, Kenya and Liberia to the 7th edition of the conference organised by Women Radio 91.7 with the theme: “Repositioning Women for Greater Impact.”
The conference served as a rallying point for discussions on reshaping societal norms and institutional frameworks to allow women to assume more significant roles in governance and leadership.
Amplifying women’s voices
Speaking on the objective of the conference, the Convener and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Women Radio 91.7 FM, Toun Okewale Sonaiya, the conference hosted in Nigeria was designed for key participants and speakers to share knowledge and practical steps and strategies on women’s inclusion, economic empowerment, ownership and effective allocation of financial resources with the aim of developing a strategic policy document to improve women’s inclusion and leadership in Africa.
VOW2023 theme formed the core of discussions and a rallying cry to reshape societal norms and institutional frameworks to allow women to take on more significant roles in governance and leadership.
It is a call to action, recognizing the immense potential within women and emphasizing the necessity of their empowerment for the betterment of the nation.
According to the convener, “We ventured beyond our operational base and are penetrating different geopolitical zones and communities through collaborative partnership with media and women-led organisations to amplify women’s voice and advocacy for change.”
Blueprint Weekend reports that the conference leveraged on the collective wisdom of experts and stakeholder from various African countries, including Namibia, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, and the host country Nigeria, on practical steps to amplify women’s voices in leadership.
These discussions emphasized the need for greater visibility of women to ensure good governance and development on the continent.
Among the notable speakers include Vice President Kashim Shettima; Liberian Vice President, H.E Chief Jewel Taylor; Kwara state Governor, AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman; Deputy Finance Minister Namibia, Hon Maureen Hinda Mbuende; Commissioner of National Gender and Equality, Kenya, Dr. Margaret Karungaru; as well as Executive Director, Sustainable Gender Action Initiative, Mufuliat Fijabi, with Erelu Bisi Fayemi as chairperson.
They also included: The Chairperson, Nigerian Governor’s Wives Forum, Amb. Olufolake Abdulrazaq; First Lady Ogun state, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun; First Lady Imo state, Barrister Chioma Uzodinma; First Lady Ebonyi state, Mrs Mary Mauldline Nwifiru; and First Lady Kebbi state Hajia Zainab Nasir, who spoke extensively on the solidarity collaborations amongst the wives of the 36 governors on their initiatives to reposition women in their respective states for leadership and development.
Changing landscape despite challenges
On her part, VOW2023 Chairperson, Erelu Bisi-Fayemi, while highlighting the challenges affecting African women and girls, noted the progress made in changing the political landscape in some countries.
According to Bisi-Fayemi, “In spite of the many challenges that we continue to face as African women, we have managed to make the case for women’s leadership.
“And in several countries, we have changed political landscapes in Liberia, Rwanda, Namibia, South Africa and Kenya to mention a few.”
She noted that despite that Nigerian women were among the better educated and wealthiest in Africa, it was not translated into political power, featuring poorly on most global indicators.
She said: “The most recent Global Gender Gap Index 2023 ranked Nigeria130th out of 146 countries.
“Nigeria has one of the highest maternal and I can’t mortality rates in the world at 12 percent of global figures, highest number of child brides at 22 million, which is the highest in West Africa and 11th highest globally.”
The conference chairperson listed factors mitigating women’s access to political Leadership and decision-making to include cultural and attitudinal barriers, inaccessible political machineries, finances, violence and intimidation and lack of visibility.
She, therefore, stressed the need to change the narrative, be committed to social change, qualitative legal and policy frameworks that can remove oppressive patriarchal norms and values.
Need for women’s inclusion
Vice President Shettima, who was represented by Senior Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim-Anas, emphasized the importance of including women in the decision-making process.
She pointed out that with women constituting nearly 50 per cent of the population it was vital to create opportunities for their active participation to ensure the nation’s success.
She further noted government’s focus on the well-being of women and girls, citing the recent rollout of HPV vaccines.
The presidential adviser stressed that access to good health and education was crucial for girls, emphasizing the role of education in her own success.
“Nigeria cannot continue to stand on one leg as we do at the moment, women constitute almost 50 per cent of our population and so we need to complement each other by creating the right opportunities as every nation’s success is tied to the activities of women.
“Without education, we are nowhere I’m only standing here because my parents made the right decision at the right time to send me to school,” she added.
Similarly, Governor Abdulrazaq highlighted the benefits of gender mainstreaming in government and shared the steps his state has taken to include women in leadership roles.
He called for a constitutional amendment to increase women’s participation in governance and leadership in Nigeria and encouraged other state governors to follow Kwara state’s lead.
“I also encourage other states to emulate what we have been doing, we have keyed into different educational and sanitation programs that will encourage girl child to enroll in schools and complete their education, one of such is the adolescent girl initiative for learning.
We have similarly introduced the policy of six-month maternity leave to encourage women to nurture their children at home, we can keep saying what we have done endlessly, but the important thing is, where do we go to from here and how we achieve more” he added.
The state governor further stated, “In Kwara, women are in charge, with 56 per cent of women making majorities in the cabinet.
” So, as chairman of NGF, in partnership with Governors Wives Forum, women can constitute a policy where for example states and constituencies that elect women into legislative houses can benefit financially, so you can assume any amount.
“This way, states and constituencies will go for the money, this is applicable in fiscal responsibility where we are told that if you publish your budget, you get two million dollars. This is enriched governance and capacity building.
“So, if we have such programmes on gender issues, I’m certain that many constituencies will go for the money, that way more women will be brought to the table to make the right decisions and make the change.”
Women supporting women
Speaking Dr. Karungaru emphasized the need for women to support each other to ensure inclusivity in all areas.
She urged Nigerian women not to view each other as competitors but as allies working towards the shared goal of increased female representation in parliament.
“Nigerian women need to support each other, don’t look at women as competitors or adversaries. But support and ensure no one is left behind as we want to see more women in parliament,” the Keyan commissioner stated.
Similarly, Fijabi called on women to strategise for the reconsideration and passage of five Gender Bills rejected at the National Assembly.
These Bills, executive director of the initiative emphasized were critical for advancing women’s rights and representation in Nigeria.
