Ita Giwa Seeks More Women Participation In Politics

The question of the role of women in the sustenance of democracy has often been debated and the fact that democracy is the only form of government that recognises the importance of women in the business of government cannot be over emphasised.

To this end, Senator Princess Ita Giwa, under the aegis of Women in Action convened a Town Hall Meeting Friday for women in a bid to sensitize greater participation in politics.

Speaking at the occasion which was chaired by Senator Kofoworola-Bucknor, Ita Giwa called for more involvement of women in politics while also rueing the factors limiting
Nigerian women from active participation in politics.

"We have had such gathering of women in politics sometime in 2011 but it was a smaller one. I am a politician to the core and the only thing that keeps me busy aside politics is my charity work which focuses on children and the people of my constituency, Bakasi. The PDP has given me the platform to express myself and in this present dispensation there are a lot of women who hold key political appointments today.

"But I worry for the future of women who aspire to be politicians like me because of the many factors limiting their ambitions. I desire more women who have interest in politics to be free to aspire to become politicians. But today, more men are leaving their business to join politics. They use money saved to get party tickets while the women who do not have money are left to rue in their ambition.

"We need more women participation in politics because we need women to protect the interest of women in the political hierarchy of government. We want women who will win their mandate on merit. Without democracy, Nigerian women in politics wouldn't have come this far. Let us support democracy, continuity and our great president who has empowers the aspirations of the Nigerian woman," Ita Giwa added.

In her remarks, Chairperson of the event, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele pointed out the role of the Nigerian woman in the enshrinement of present day Nigerian democracy while also calling for a greater participation of women in politics.

"If not for the stand of certain women on the mandate of June 12; we will not be enjoying the benefits of democracy today. We are here today to celebrate ourselves. Today, 25 per cent of women man key political offices in the present dispensation. What we have is not enough, we are aiming for the 50 per cent because we make up 50 per cent of the population. We must be cautious as to who we vote in because we do not want to go backwards."

Delivering the key note address, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, who stood in for the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, said the elevation, empowerment and emancipation of the Nigerian woman is important.

"This welcome transformation for Nigerian women can only take place in an atmosphere of peace. However, this can only be sustained if we make deliberate efforts to maintain or position as advocates of peace in Nigeria. It is no longer news that for the first time in Nigeria, more women have been appointed to head key government ministries in the Federal Executive Council.

"Under President Goodluck Jonathan, we have an administration that has not only shown confidence in the women of our country, but has gone ahead to make room for them to play an active role in nation building."

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