The lawmaker representing Ona-Ara and Egbeda Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Alabi; a former Head of Service in Oyo State, Mrs Hannah Ogunesan; a business consultant and politician, Dr Oyenike Adeleke; a woman advocate, Farmer Omolara Svensson, and others , yesterday, called for more participation of women in politics.
They made the call during a Women-in-Politics sensitisation programme with the theme: “Understanding Our Role in Active Politics”, which was held at Iwo Road, Ibadan.
The programme was convened by the National Coordinator and President, Nigerian Women for Agricultural Development, Farmer Omolara K. Svensson Busari.
Also present at the event were Alhaja Tinuade Shakirat Adigun, Hon Oke-Are Aina, Chief (Mrs) Adebayo Yinka, Temitope Olawonyin, Hon. Adebola Shakirat Adetunji, Olawale Olaleye, and others.
Alabi, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Works, said the percentage of women’s representation at the House of Representatives and the Senate is significantly low, calling for constitutional amendment to bridge the gap.
“I think we must first acknowledge that there is a problem If you look at the representation of women in politics in government. If you look at the House of representatives for example, there are very few women and likewise the Senate, and in other positions as well,” Alabi said.
Alabi disclosed that he would support a constitutional amendment currently at the public hearing stage, which he said, would create more seats for women in Parliament.
“From the legal point of view, there is a constitutional amendment currently at the public hearing stage, which is to create more seats for women in Parliament. One extra seat per state in the House of Representatives and one extra seat for the Senate. So, that will be extra 36 women in Representatives and extra 36 women in the Senate. I’m willing to back that proposal when we get to the Third Reading when we need to vote on the floor of the House,” Alabi said.
He stressed that giving more opportunities to women to be on the ballot, would pave the way for more options for voting quality women for political represention.
“It’s about giving them more opportunities so that there will be more women on the ballot. And there will be more options and more quality women that we can vote for,” the lawmaker added
The convener , Svensson Busari, alao urged women to embrace active political participation.
“I’m doing this because as a nation, we need more women to be part of the decision making — the policies that shape our communities and our societies. I used to be of the notion that as a farmer, I don’t have business with politics. And I have said it in many of my interviews, but as I grow in my career as an agricpreneur, I see that most of the problems we are having in the agric sector, come down to policy and policy implementation,” Svensson Busari said.
Asked if she was employing empowerment in agriculture as a strategy to bring more women to politics, Svensson said,
“Empowerment in agriculture is for us all to stay alive. Our leader and the father of the nation, President Bola Tinubu took one of the boldest decisions when he came into office, by announcing food insecurity in Nigeria. Food insecurity in Nigeria did not start yesterday or five years ago, but he was bold enough to declare it. So, empowerment in agriculture is a must for us all to remain alive, so we don’t starve to death.”
“We need women to be part of governance and policy making. And that is what is happening here today. The truth is, we were looking at between 50 and 100 people, but today, we have almost 300 people and that is a good thing. We are only starting in Oyo State, but it is going to be a nationwide movement by the special grace of God,” she added.
In her remarks, Ogunesan noted that women have equal rights and chances with men all over the world.
“As a woman, I believe that you have equal rights and chances with men all over the world. It depends on your own perception. The way you perceived yourself, that is the way they will place you. And we have seen women who have excelled in their endeavours –be it in government, politics, and even in other areas of life. So, I want to admonish my women that we must participate actively,” Ogunesan said.
Oyenike said women must be part of the conversation in politics, emphasising women must not be under-rated in politics and leadership. She added that women must bring something to the table.
END
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