IWD: Stakeholders Want More Women Inclusion In Governance

Some stakeholders in Gombe say that having more women in governance will translate to more meaningful development for the country.
The stakeholders, who said this in an interview with newsmen in Gombe yesterday, spoke on the occasion of the 2022 International Women’s Day with the theme: “Break The Bias”.
Mrs Comfort Mukollo, the chairperson, Gombe State chapter of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) said that women’s inclusion in governance would give the ‘balanced platform’ for everyone to contribute to nation-building.
Mukollo said Nigeria needed the contributions of women to attain greater heights.
“Nation-building is a task for everyone and not for one gender, women’s potential should be properly developed through education and harnessed for the good of Nigeria.
“We have seen what women can do when given the opportunity, so it is not a question of if they can deliver, women are good managers and professionals in whatever they do,” she said.
Also speaking, Ms Hajara Leman, the chairperson of the Correspondents Chapel, Gombe State chapter said women had roles to play in the development of any nation and Nigeria should not be an exception.
Leman said that women had proven their worth in any given responsibility, adding that they were also very dependable folks that could change the narrative, adding “women cover the weakness of their colleagues and organisations’’.
She called for more support for women to enable them participate in active and elective politics and not just to be given political appointments.
Leman, also urged women in the state to stand for one another and break the bias of women not supporting their fellow women.
“We have the numerical strength and women are capable, so why not support your own to change the narrative; even male politicians count on women to win elections,” she said.
Hajiya Zariyatu Abubakar, a women and girls rights advocate, said women were soaring in various endeavours of human activities, hence, Nigeria should harness women’s resources to achieve meaningful development.
Abubakar said that women had the capacity to drive achievements for any nation, adding that without women’s inclusion in governance, it would be difficult for Nigeria to achieve meaningful development.
“Women are resilient and natural decision-makers. We need them to make good decisions for Nigeria.
“If women were to be well represented in governance, we wouldn’t have some of the challenges we have in Nigeria.
“I seriously believe that if there is a little adjustment and women are given a level playing ground and more opportunities, a lot of things will change in the society,’’ she said.