Don Tasks Women On Politics, Nation’s Building

Nigerian women have
been urged to come out of the precarious position of staying at the periphery and become  active participants  in politics, policy and decision making in the country.
A university lecturer, Dr (Mrs) Emily God’s-Presence, made the  call in her welcome address to mark this year’s edition of ‘Being A Women’ workshop in Port Harcourt, last week.
Speaking at the workshop held at the Centre for Conflict and Gender Studies, Abuja Campus, University of Port Harcourt, Dr God’s Presence said that women participation in politics would not only improve the quality of life of the female folk, but hopefully help them step into the mainstream of affairs to make impactful contributions to the society.
Commenting on the theme of this year’s workshop, “Women on the Edge; Who is At Risk”? Dr (Mrs) Emily God’spresence, who is also the convener of the workshop, said it goes a step further by not only charging the women to go beyond instituted social-cultural and political boundaries as was captured by last year’s theme, but to become active collaborators with the malefolk in politics, policy and decision-making process as well as in other spheres of the society instead of remaining at the precarious position of staying at the periphery.
According to her, ‘Being A Woman’ workshop would among other benefits, dreate a platform for women of all walks of life to share their experiences and success stories to help challenge other women to be dogged contributors to human and social development. It will imbibe in males and females the spirit of cooperation and collaboration, as well as impact the spirit of excellence, discipline and hard work on women especially the youths for a balanced lifestyle.
It will be recalled that ‘Being A Woman’ workshop is an Emily God’sPresence  Project, which concept is intended to be an annual event of which the maiden edition was held last year. It is her own way of fulfilling the Fullbright mandate of “giving back” to her home institution and country at the expiration of the fullbright scholarship program  which she was a beneficiary in the 2011/2012 session.

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi