NAWOJ Partners ActionAID On Grassroots Mobilization

The need for women to be fully sensitized, mentored and prepared to be active participants in politics was focus of a one-day programme organized by the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria at NUJ Press Centre, Benin City.
The theme of the programme was: Engaging Grassroots Women for Robust Political Participation, and was funded by Global Affairs, Canada. The event drew participants from various women civil society and gender-based organizations.
Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, National Chairperson of NAWOJ, represented by Chizoba Ogbeche, Vice Chairperson, Zone D, and Focal Person, Nigerian League of Women Voters, stated that the Project is a 5-year project that is focused on empowering local organizations to tackle issues affecting women in politics and equip grassroots women with the necessary life skills and tools to support their involvement in politics.
She noted that since Edo State is in an election year, it became imperative to prepare the minds of grassroots women towards the election and urged women to take advantage of the sensitization programme in leveraging valuable lessons that politics bring.
Austin Okojie, INEC REC, represented by Toyin Olayiwola, Public Affairs Officer, INEC, stated that the programme was timely and reeled out efforts by INEC to ensure gender inclusion in politics, including opening a gender desk in the 36 states and Abuja and training of the INEC Gender Desk officers on how to respond to women’s concerns in order to bridge the gender gap in Nigeria.
The REC stated that women occupy only 5.8% elective offices in the country and mentioned that INEC continues to support women’s participation in politics by the adoption of gender-friendly policies and even reserving a quota for women in INEC promotion exercises in administrative cadres.
Mrs. Faith Obasuyi, from Women in Politics, stated that poverty was a threat to democracy and advocated for women’s economic empowerment. She tasked gender based organizations and other women civil society organizations to engage and negotiate with government to create platforms for women empowerment, including percentage for women in governance.
Ann Ojugo, President, Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities stated that women with disabilities are mostly in the rural areas and number mostly among grassroots women. “We have our peculiar challenges but the height of it is discrimination against people with disabilities. We need to end the era of premeditated and coordinated discrimination against women with physical disabilities, especially discrimination by fellow women in dealing with their gender.”
Comrade Festus Alenkhe, Chairman, NUJ, Edo State Council, represented by Comrade Andy Egbon, Secretary of Council, stated that the programme was a wake-up call on the need for women to be involved in active politics. “No nation will be complete without women’s participation in nation building, therefore all hands must be on deck to support women aspirations in all spheres of politics and governance.”
Stella Macaulay, Vice Chairperson of NAWOJ, Zone F commended Grassroots Women for their resilience and tasked government at all tiers to focus on poverty reduction and empowerment of women and families.
Comrade Timothy Emurakpor, He4She, League of Women Voters also enjoined women to form “unassailable support systems for fellow women in politics.” She also implored women to profile whom they intend to support to ensure they are qualified for the positions aspired for.
Comrade Adesuwa Ehimuan, Chairperson, NAWOJ Edo State tasked women to participate actively in politics and governance and stop joining in campaigns of calumny against fellow women but team up with them in attaining their political aspirations.