The 2023 General Elections have come and gone. Inauguration of elected political officers has also taken place, both at the federal and state levels. Legislative matters have taken off. Appointment of Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been concluded and portfolios assigned to them by the Presidency. The Ministers without wasting time have resumed work.
Since the return of democracy two decades ago, women generally have done well wherever they found themselves. At the National Assembly, at the executive, even in the judiciary, they have been showcasing their talents.
When we talk about women’s participation in politics, a lot of them have excelled. The wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu was at the Red chambers recently. Justice Mary Odili became a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (JSC) before her retirement. The former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo was elected into the Senate this year. Prof Ngozi Odu became the Deputy Governor of Rivers State after the 2023 gubernatorial elections.
Our own Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the General Director of the World Trade Organization (WTO). She was a former Minister of Finance and later, Foreign Affairs. Mrs. Blessing Nsiegbe was a member of the House of Representatives, who represented the Port Harcourt Constituency II.
Mrs. Victoria Nyeche is a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly. A veteran journalist, Dr. Abike Dabiri Erewa, was a member of the House of Representatives. Later on, she was appointed a presidential aide on diaspora. Senator Betty Apiafi from Rivers State was elected into the House of Representatives, representing Rivers and later became an elected Senator. Only a few can be mentioned due to shortage of time and space.
They are competent, creaative, hard working and innovative.  They are amazons. With such number and others that cannot be mentioned here, women are asking for more elective and appointive positions.  More steps should be taken by all to achieve 35 percent of women participation in politics.  Nigerian women have little space in leadership positions.
It is worrisome to note that out of 48 Ministers that were appointed recently, only nine were women.  This shows a very low percentage at the Federal Executive Council.  The Supreme Court verdict stated that women should be allotted 35percent, but it has not been realised.
The Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrazaak, has tried in the area of empowering women.  If Kwara State can implement that, why would others not follow suit?  There has to be the political will for others to do the needful.
It would interest you to know that the youngest House of Representatives member is from Kwara State.  First,  she was endorsed by her political ward, constituency and State.  If her people did not endorse her, she would not have been there.
Others are disregarding women and relegating them to the background.  States nominate women for the Federal to show action.  Any state that does not do it should be reminded.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also has tried to showcase gender equality.  Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State as well recognised the importance of women in decision making.  Those are politicians who understand that men and women can work together.
Former Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is also an exemplary person in that respect. His was second to none. In some western states, we have some female deputy governors who have served and are still serving.
Political will is working in Rwanda.  People are going there.  In Namibia, the practice  is 50 men and 50 women in parliament.  All over the world, women are included in politics and those countries which engage women in decision making, their economies are always moving forward.  They  experience improved economies.  In South Africa, it is practised.
Nigeria has never had a female Vice President not to talk about President.  Liberia had Johnson Sirleaf as President.    There has not been a female Governor, except in Anambra State where Mrs Victoria Etiaba was in acting capacity when the then governor, Peter Obi was absent.
Although there have been female deputy governors.   In Rivers State, for example, in the last administration of Governor Nyesom Wike, the slot was for women. Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, was the deputy governor while Prof Ngozi Nma Odu is the deputy governor currently.  This is highly commendable as it shows a women-friendly leadership.
Not just that, the former Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike during his tenure ensured that vice chairpersons of the 23 local government areas were women.
Nigerian women will continue to ask for more.  Let government promote women employment and increase women participation in politics.  Appointment of women as heads of Ministeries,  Departments and Agencies (MDAs) is necessary at this time in the history of Nigeria.
Women should be appointed heads of boards and not just members.  Chairpersons and secretaries of political parties can be left for women.
Nigerian women won the case in court over 35 percent Affirmative Action.  The United Nations (UN) Declaration on 35percent as well as the laws binding it should be implemented by the Nigerian government.  Gender policies should be supported.
If women have to be elected into the parliament, there should be orientation and awareness from the grassroots.  International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), and others as a matter of fact should begin to sensitise women in the markets,  offices, farms and homes on the need to support their own when elections come. Women in disability need not be left out.  NAWOJ particularly should use the media to increase awareness on women.
Curriculum planners should emphasise the inclusion of gender policies in relation to women.   If it is there,  more emphasis should be made on the teaching.  The women are soliciting from the academia for the teaching and learning of gender equality in schools and the gains associated with it.
Government is for everyone.  Going by the definition of democracy, ‘It is government of the people, by the people and for the people’, so women should be involved in governance.
There are key areas that should be left for women in terms of ministerial appointments.  Health is one of them.  It is supposed to be manned by  a woman.  At the Senate, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, representing Rivers West Senatorial District,  is the chairperson, Senate Committee on Health. That is a good one.
One of the female Ministers, Dr Betty Edu from Cross River State, was assigned Minister of Humanitarian Affairs. The  Health Ministry should have been better handled by her as a female medical practitioner.   When you talk about healthcare, women will understand  more because of the rigorous processes they undergo during pregnancies and child bearing.  They are mostly concerned and affected.  The girl child grows into womanhood.  The woman carries pregnancy for nine months and gets the baby delivered either through caesarean operation or normal delivery with pains.    The pains associated with childbirth and other consequences, she alone undergoes.  She nurses and nurtures the baby to adolescence and into adulthood.  All maternal and infant mortality issues rest squarely on the woman.   So, health issues generally from childhood to adulthood are that of women.  Women should man the Health Ministry.
Another area is finance.  This is because women manage little resources they have in homes.  Women will be able to manage the nation’s resources to boost the economy better.
With the low enrollment of the girl-child in schools due to unwanted pregnancies, child labour, househelps, underage marriage, etc., a female Minister of Education can tackle the problem.
Government has the powers in their hands so they can do it.  Gender equality is possible.  Men and women can work side by side,  that is what Nigeria needs.
So far, Nigerian women are asking for more.

By: Eunice Choko-Kayode