NILOWN to Nigerian Women: Unite, Speak with One Voice to Move the Nation Forward 

NILOWN to Nigerian Women: Unite, Speak with One Voice to Move the Nation Forward

Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria

The Nigerian Leagues of Women Voters (NILOWN) has called on Nigerian women to unite and speak with one voice in order that they can make a difference in the political scene as well as impact positively in the development of the nation.

This call was made during this year’s international Women’s Day Celebration with the theme, “Embrace Equity” held in Kaduna.

The Chief Executive Officer, NILOWN Kaduna Chapter, Dr Rakiya Shonekan speaking on the Relevance of International Women’s Day said often times the words equality and equity are being misconstrued.

The word ‘equality’  she explained does not mean women claiming equal rights with men. Women she said are not rubbing shoulders with the men . What it simply means is that both men and women should be given equal opportunities to strive.

“We are talking of giving us equal opportunities to contribute our quota. The theme for this year, “Embrace Equity”. Equity means, creating inclusiveness.

There is need for inclusiveness. She added. This should be reflected in whatever we are doing even at the family level.

The question is, are we inclusive in our homes? What is happening in our nation she said starts from our home front.

Such distinction between girl child and male child, the believe that women are to be seen and not to be heard, all are evidences of lack of equity.

We cannot achieve maximum development where there is no equity. She sounded.

The call therefore is that, both men and women be given equal opportunity to serve and equity should be seen to transient in all facets of national development for the nation to grow. Shonekan stressed.

Dr. Shonekan explained that the international women’s Day celebration

which falls on every 8th of March, is a special day for women.

The day focuses on women issues, looks at the challenges of women/girls with a view to finding solutions to their problems.

She called for the support of everyone including the men to make things work.

It was an all encompassing gathering.

Presenting his paper, titled, “Women Empowerment & Gender Equality: The Rwandan Success Story”, the Chief Executive, Chibenor Services International Limited Kaduna, Dcn Ben  Chanu, said women with their numerical strength which according to world research, is half the population of the world if fully utilized, the sky will be their limit in the pursuit of their cause.

What they need is a formidable force that will make their voices heard.

He urged the women to take a cue from the Rwanda situation where in 1990, their women brought the devastating country perpetrated by war, killings, genocide out of its woes. Bringing about positive change.

Women he said are the engine drivers of any nation. Women should be given an enabling environment for contribution and development , he emphasized.

He noted that the composition of Nigeria’s parliamentary system in terms of gender balance is nothing to write home about.

Women are underrepresented. Only 36 women have been in the Senate since 1999.

“If one wants to measure the level of gender equality in any given society, and any country, you look at it parliamentary system.”

Lamenting, he said, with all the vibrancy of our Nigerian women, they are poorly represented in the houses of Assemblies.  In the Senate, out of 109 senators, only 9 of them are women.

“Women have continued to play roles that demonstrates how important they are to the progress of their country, economically, politically, socially and in other areas that matters.”

One of the community leaders present described the topic as apt saying, women voices are needed for a new Nigeria.  God he said has created women in a very unique way such that whenever they add their voices on issues, thing begin to fall into place.

He tasked all the CEOs present to take the message down to their people in order that they can add their voices to help transform the nation.

In their separate good will messages, the Director Army Media, Hajiya Hadiza said many women are willing to contribute as well as join politics but are not supported by their husbands. There is need to educate the men on the importance of being there for their wives in the actualization of their dreams.

While agreeing that husbands have their short comings Hajiya Hauwa added that even where some understanding husbands encourage their wives, there are some women with shallow minds who do not see anything good in a woman striving to make a mark. Such women she said need to be educated so that together they can take Nigeria to greater heights.

In her own contribution, the Executive Director, Lanmsoy Education Resource, Mrs. Lantana Bako Nnaji called on the need for women to strengthen their efforts in pushing for their demands.

Speaking on education, she said there is no age limit in learning. She encouraged that people get a trade instead of relying on white collar job especially now that there are no jobs.

“Education does not mean one just going to school. There is no age in learning. We are encouraging women, young ones, men to acquire a trade through skill acquisition” which is part of what the organization is doing.

“A one time President, Nigerian Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Kaduna, Mrs Hannatu – harped on women keeping with the changing times in their struggles to realising their goals.

She congratulated the efforts of the league and its able leadership.

“I know how they have been working hard. A lot of activities have taken place.

And for the leadership, Dr. Rakiya Shonekan, she is a mentor. She doesn’t lie low in any assignment given to her.

I congratulate you.”

Also congratulated was Hon. hajiya Jemila Muhammed who contested but couldn’t make it for the Kaduna state house of Assembly.

She was commended for taking such a bold step while wishing her success in the next election.

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Others present also added their voices to why women should be given recognition in all spheres of endeavour.

The young shall grow, the leaders of tomorrow were not left out of the interactive session as they agitated for women politicians being given the opportunity by their male counterparts to assume the positions of governors and that of president.

The programme was supported by Voices for Women and Child initiative,  Women and Youth Empowerment Network,  Lanmsoy Education Resource, and the Army Media.