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Tag: Women

  • Women politicians strategise for more positions

    Women politicians across the three dominant political parties in Osun and Ekiti states have kick started their strategies,weaved around a massive grassroots campaign, to ensure they get more positions both in their respective parties and government.

    “Our vision is to start from the ward congresses and fight our way up. We are going to use our bigger number to get more positions and get a bigger voice in pushing more women for elective positions”, says Mrs Omowunmi Otunla, PDP women leader, Osun state.

    As part of a deliberate effort to advance the cause of women in politics, their mechanics will focus largely on identifying and putting core women issues on front burner and striving to build consensus to push it through. While underscoring the girl child as a major plank of their campaign, they resolved to float a neutral platform on which to reach out to women.

    Critical amongst issues confronting the women is the country’s high maternal mortality rate which according to former world’s richest man, Bill Gates, ranks Nigeria ahead of only Sierra Leone, Central African Republic and Chad,making it “one of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth”. They also finger girl child education and the need to strike down the law of inheritance and widowhood practices which are unfriendly to women.

    Rising from a two-day gathering in Ado Ekiti under the aegis of Community Life Project (CLP) with support from Ford Foundation, the women have resolved to hone their advocacy skills and collaborate with other women in different facets to achieve their aim. They have also vowed to galvanise other women and other gender friendly forces to ensure the review of all laws that promote discriminatory practices against women. They have also admonish that “successful women should mentor other women”. They reason that the elite and professional women must work in tandem with those at the grassroots if this drive is to be taken seriously.

    Drawn from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP), the women have also struck a chord to set aside their political differences and work as a collective to jointly push the interest of women at different levels. “We need to push for more positions and show that we can do it better. We have the time. We have the acumen. We are not clappers or singers. We need to sensitise our women that we are the light of the world. We only need to change the psyche of our womenfolk and use our bigger number to advance our interest”, Otunla explains.

    Reflecting on the view by a frontline gender activist, Mrs Josephine Anenih that women need to get themselves into the National Working Committees of the political parties where the major decisions are taken, Dr Romoke Edu Ogunlana, deputy chairperson, Labour Party, Osun state argues that “We need to understand that politics is an alternative to war and be prepared to engage with all the resources we can muster”, noting that “women who are opportune to get into positions should endeavour to push other women”.

    The women were particularly irked by a “Fact Sheet on Women’s Political Representation in Nigeria”, prepared by CLP which reveals that women representation in the legislature at the state and national levels that peaked in 2007,has been on the downward slide. From 3 women members in 1999 out of the 109 member Senate, to 4 in 2003 and a jumpto 9, in 2007. This however dropped to 8 in 2011 and 7 in 2015. The total number of women in the House of Representatives which was 13 in 1999 rose to 21 and 27 in 2003 and 2007 respectively but took a nosedive to 25 and 22 in 2011 and 2015. The figures for the House of Assembly, areequally dismal. Although women membership rose from 24 in 1999 to 40, 57 and 68 in 2003, 2007 and 2011, it took a downward slide to 51 in 2015. Women representation from Ekiti and Osun states in the Senate and the Houses of Assembly since 1999 has also not been cheery. While 2 women won Senate seats in Ekiti in 2015, Osun has not voted a woman senator since 1999. No woman was voted into the Osun state House of Assembly in 2007, 2011 and 2015 while Ekiti got 4 and 2 respectively in 2011 and 2015.

    Not too happy at this declining representation of women, Mrs Ayo Awolowo, a PDP adherent in Osun state is of the opinion that “We cannot afford to slip back from our gains. From 1999 and now, the men have failed us, we need to strategise on how to move forward”. Alhaja Bola Olayiwola, a Labour Party candidate in the Osun State House of Assembly in 2015 wants women to be “patriotic and show some respect in their engagement”. She also wants them to pay their party dues regularly while charging women to be bold and strategic and focus on their goals, advising them to take active part in party programmes. “We need to discuss and engage the women at the grassroots who say each time they vote for the educated women, they are usually neglected after their victory”.

    Mrs Olubunmi Omowunmi Ogunlola, a contestant to the House of Assembly, Ekiti state under the APC in 2015 callson the women to build on the favourable laws that have been passed by the legislature in Ekiti. “We must exploit those laws to advance our campaign. Let’s try and be involved in the issues of women around our locality and not restrict ourselves to our high walls. Let’s speak out on women issues. We appear to be too complacent unlike women in South Africa and Rwanda that have been to war. Until we learn to say no, we’ll be dancing around a motionless path”, she says.

    Alluding to the enviable pace set by Senator Biodun Olujimi who has presented 13 women friendly bills since she got to the Senate and the glowing period of Professor Dora Akunyili at the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC), Edu-Ogunlana, also a lecturer at Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo is of the view that “the success of women will inspire others”.

    “Women should speak with their positions. We must work to get more quality women into political power. We need to get more representation on the basis of law or affirmation. We don’t want our husbands to think that we are going around lobbying our man friends for appointments”, she says.

    Speaking in the same vein, Alhaja Mariam Ogunlana, running mate to the Labour Party candidate in the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti state, decry the prevailing situation where many women prefer to abandon their fellow women in position of authority. “When we see a woman in a position of authority, we don’t support her but we are envious. The strength that we have, we don’t use it for ourselves, we prefer to support men”, contending however that “Women who are voted into power need to share their experiences so that other women can learn from their mistakes and prowess”.

    She also identified paucity of funds as a major factor inhibiting the performance of women in politics. “If you don’t have money, you can’t do well in politics. You are expected to throw away funds stupidly. If you don’t have money, you can’t do ward rounds. The electorate is very demanding. The men also believe it is their birthright. The prevalence of violence tends to scare away women. In one of the elections, they macheted one of my agents”.

    Mrs Fausat Aderinlewo, APC woman leader Osun state says “we need to show love to ourselves and encourage women to vie for positions at different levels. “Women can contribute funds to support each other. We need to discard the practice where women gravitate to the men and neglect women. It’s also important that we employ the right communication style to engage people on women issues”.

    But Cecilia Dada, a PDP member, Ekiti House of Assembly says she’s mobilised the women to virtually take over the leadership position of the party at her Ilejemeje local government where the men have only three positions. “We have done well, we have been able to push the women to take over control”. “We have the brain, we have the pedigree, we should ensure we mentor others. If a woman is up there, she should sponsor other women as councillors, LG chairman, or legislators either at the state or national level”, she says.

    Particularly worrying for Mrs Lanre Fajuyi, a former councillor representing ward 10, Ado Ekiti under the PDP is the identity crisis weighed against married women from aspiring to positions in their husband’s places. “When I contested for councillor, they told me I was not qualified to run because I was not from Ado Ekiti. The issue was resolved by the Kabiyesi in my favour and I won. But when I tried to contest for the House of Assembly in 2015, they also used it against me and I lost”, says Fajuyi, who is a member of the House of Assembly Service Commission.

    Responding to the suggestion by Mrs Oluremi Balogun, an APC stalwart in Ekiti state that only credible women candidates should be supported, Mrs Feyisayo Omotunde Fajuyi, a former special assistant on Women and Politics under the APC government of Governor Kayode Fayemi does not share what she perceived as “the obsession to support only quality women” querying “how many of the men candidates are credible?”.

    “After supporting women to political office, our mission thereafter should be to ensure that they deliver to the people”, says Fajuyi, a pioneer secretary of women in ALGON, 1999 to 2003. What’s heart warming for Mrs Funke Owoseni, a member of the APC is that all the women who have been chairpersons in Ikole local government, Ekiti state have proved their mettle. “Their work have radiated like shining stars”, she quips.

    Reviewing the gains of the project to empower women politicians started since 2013, CLP’s Programme Officer, Francis Onahor says “the women at least, now appreciate the need to work together and exploit their larger number to advance their interests”.

  • Saraki celebrates women on International Women’s Day

    President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Thursday, joined world leaders and people around the world to commemorate the International Women’s Day 2018.

    In a series of tweets on his @BukolaSaraki handle, the Senate President emphasized the role and significance of women in both the development of Nigeria, and the world.

    “Today, on International Women’s Day, I join the world to celebrate our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, our colleagues and our friends who wake up each day and work to make the world a better place.

    “In particular, today, I celebrate those women, who have played, and continue to play their part in the development of our country — in every sector, in every way, and at every point in our young, but significant history.

    “As a father to three young women; a husband to a charismatic wife who is making great contributions in her own right; a colleague to a few but effective legislators; and a son — every day, I witness firsthand the strength and resilience of women.

    “I see their impact in all areas of human endeavour, and testify to their resilience, their bravery, and their ability to get things done.

    “Therefore, today, I join the world to press for progress and I recommit to pushing for more female participation in the economic and political processes of our nation.”

  • IWD: France will ‘name, shame’ firms who pay women less – Macron

    France will “name and shame” employers who pay women less than men, President Emmanuel Macron said in comments marking International Women’s Day on Thursday.

    “We are going to put in place a system that will allow us to name the businesses where the law is least respected and where checks show the greatest salary gaps,” Macron said.

    The French government says that women are on average paid 9 per cent less than men of the same age in the same position.

    Macron said, calling out businesses with the biggest pay gaps “will make a difference, because nobody wants to be wearing the dunce’s cap.” .

    The French government is to make computer software available to companies to enable them to track the gap in pay between the sexes.

    The number of labour inspectors dealing with equal pay issues will also be beefed up from just over 1,000 to more than 7,000, minister for male-female equality Marlene Schiappa told RTL radio.

    Schiappa said said the government would shift the focus of equality measures from procedures to results.

    Plans published by the government would also oblige companies with significant pay gaps to dedicate a “significant share” of any planned pay rises to increasing women’s pay.

  • Fight for equal rights for women continues – Angela Merkel

    German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, said that the “fight for equal rights for women continues’’ in spite the progress made so far, in an Instagram post for International Women’s Day.

    In a video message on Thursday, Merkel said: “many women before us made sacrifices and fought doggedly for women to have more rights.

    “It is now 100 years since women themselves could vote.

    “But we are of course not happy just to vote, we also want to shape policies in all areas: to take on political responsibility in the family, in the world of work.”

    Merkel also hinted at greater female representation in her new government.

    She is set to be re-elected for a fourth term as German chancellor next week after her conservative bloc hammered out a hard-won coalition deal with the Social Democrats (SPD) almost six months after an inconclusive election result.

    “I am permitted also to say today that the new cabinet will definitely be an interesting mix of men and women,” Merkel said.

    She went on to say there was still much to do in Germany to achieve full equality between men and women, but even more in countries where women lack even basic rights.

    “Today is not just a day to look back on what we have achieved, but also a day on which we say: The fight for equal rights for women continues,” she concluded.

    At a G20 women’s summit in April 2017, Merkel refused to answer a question about whether or not she was a feminist, saying that she felt uncomfortable taking credit for activists’ successes.

     

  • International Women’s Day: UNFPA advocates increased access to reproductive health rights to women

    The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) on Wednesday said economic inequalities plaguing much of the world today were reinforced by many other forms of inequalities, including inequality in sexual and reproductive health.

    Dr Natalia Kanem, the Executive Director, UNFPA, made this known in a statement by Mrs Kori Habib, the Media Advisor, UNFPA Nigeria in Abuja.

    The UNFPA boss said over 200 million women, many of them poor and living in rural and remote parts of the world, lacked access to voluntary family planning methods.

    She added that more than 800 pregnant women, many in fragile socio-economic situations die each day from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.

    According her, access to services is particularly limited or even non-existent for rural and indigenous women, undermining their ability to exercise their reproductive rights in many parts of the world.

    “Without addressing the discrimination that these women face in both private and public spheres, many of them will remain caught in a vicious cycle of poverty, repeated pregnancies, diminished capabilities, unfulfilled human rights and unrealized potential.

    “The denial of reproductive rights not only harms individuals, it can also put a drag on economies and stifle countries’ development,’’ she said.

    She said making reproductive health care universally accessible would help fulfill a rural woman’s reproductive rights.

    He added that access to reproductive health care services would also enable her to stay healthy, get an education and participate in all facets of life, including economic life.

    She the benefit of access to reproductive health services accrues to the woman her family and her country.

    She said it was the mission at UNFPA to work with its partners to end unmet demand for family planning information and services, and bring an end to preventable maternal deaths.

    She added that the agency was also committed on ending gender-based violence and other harmful practices against women and girls by 2030.

    “Addressing inequalities and discrimination has always been at the heart of UNFPA’s work.

    “ We work to ensure that no one is left behind through programmes that improve the lives of excluded and marginalized women,’’ she said.

    The Executive Director therefore urged stakeholders to renew commitment towards addressing many forms of inequalities that hold women back on this International Women’s Day.

    Kanem said a more equal world depends on it.

    March 8 is celebrated as International Women’s Day.

    The UN adopted day in 1977, the day was mostly celebrated in socialist and Communist countries; The UN celebrates the day on the basis of different themes. This year, the theme is #PressforProgress.

     

  • Women have less access, take low-quality jobs – ILO report

    In spite of notable progress on closing gender gaps over the past 20 years, women have less access to jobs, the World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends for Women 2018 Global snapshot, said.

    The report, released for the 2018 International Women’s Day, authored by the UN International Labour Organisation (ILO), said women were more likely to take low-quality employment, and face barriers to management positions.

    The report found that women’s labour force participation rate worldwide stood at 48.5 per cent in 2018, which was 26.5 percentage points below that of their male counterparts.

    It also showed that the global unemployment rate for women was six per cent for 2018, about 0.8 percentage points higher than that for men.

    Altogether, for every 10 men in a job, only six women are employed, the report found.

    “In spite of the progress achieved and the commitments made to further improvement, women’s prospects in the world of work are still a long way from being equal to men’s.

    “Whether it is about access to employment, wage inequality or other forms of discrimination, we need to do more to reverse this persistent, unacceptable trend by putting in place policies tailored to women.

    “We also need to take into account the unequal demands that they face in household and care responsibilities,” said Ms Deborah Greenfield, ILO Deputy Director-General for Policies.

    In regions such as the Arab States and Northern Africa, female unemployment rates are still twice as large as men’s, with prevailing social norms continuing to obstruct women’s participation in paid employment, it said.

    However, women in Eastern Europe and North America register lower unemployment rates than men, according to the report.

    It said women also faced significant gaps in the quality of the employment they are in as they are more than twice as likely to be contributing family workers.

    This means that they contribute to a market-oriented family business, but are often subject to vulnerable conditions of employment without written contracts, collective agreements and respect for labour legislation, it said.

    The report stressed that as a result, women were still overrepresented in informal employment in developing countries.

    The report noted that globally, four times as many men were working as employers than women in 2018, while women continued to face barriers in accessing management positions.

    “Closing gender gaps in the world of work thus should remain a top priority if we want to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030,” Damian Grimshaw, Director of the ILO Research Department, said.

     

  • Women critical in advancement of technology – NGO

    Dr Wummi Hassan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), High-Tech Centre for Nigerian Women and Youth, an (NGO), on Tuesday said women had a critical role to play in the advancement of technology in the country.

    Hassan said this in Abuja at the Nigeria Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Summit tagged “NigFiSTEM’’ billed to end on Thursday.

    She said the summit, which was part of the celebration of International Women Day and usually held on March 8 every year, was for women and young girls to brainstorm over their challenges in technology.

    International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world.

    It is a day when women are recognised for their achievements without regard to divisions, nationality, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political interests.

    The event first emerged from the activities of labour.

    “This particular week has been dedicated to celebrating women; for us as an NGO, we thought through the fact that we needed a change in Nigeria.

    “So we brought together women and girls in the secondary or primary schools in FCT to look at problems in the environment and to see how they can collaborate with others to advance technology.

    “Nigeria has taught us; we may not get it fully as people complain that the curriculum is not enough now that we have known what we know, so we have to create solution.

    “We want to bring the girls and women together to see how they can become producers of technology and innovators as technology is a driver of change.”

    Hassan said it was quite depressive most times to find out that lip service or low attention was paid to the development of the nation’s industries.

    According to her, to develop a nation, its industrial base must be sound; so, this programme has gathered women and girls to see how we can advance technology for national development.

    On her part, Hajiyya Ramatu Kamal, Deputy Director, FCT Education Board, said the board was encouraging female students to embrace science subjects.

    Kamal said STEM was planning to institute an award for female students in science.

    “The board had discovered that more female students were embracing science subjects.

    Some of the participants at the summit told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the event would help them pay more attention to science subjects.

    Miss Mercy Anator, a student of Junior Secondary School Jabi, Abuja, said she hoped to leave the summit with the knowledge that girls could change the generation.

    “I want to go home with the impression that change begins with us,” she said.

    Miss Ngozi Ufum, student of Government Secondary School Lugbe, Abuja, said the summit would help her in the ambition of becoming a dentist.

     

  • Senator denies empowering women with gas cooker, frying pan

    …says politicians spreading falsehood about me

    Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Mao Ohunabunwa, has described report that he empowered women in his constituent with frying pan and camp gas as mischievous and deliberate spread of falsehood.

    Senator Ohunabunwa, who spoke through his Special Assistant, Uche Okoli described the report as a distortion of fact and misrepresentation of what happened.

    Okoli said that the senator conducted a skill acquisition training programme in 2017 which was handled by Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN), adding that after the training, each person was equipped with the necessary tools needed in the area of training with a financial support of up to N50,000.

    “Politics of lies and falsehood only makes a mockery of the individuals involved, the picture being peddled around only tells a part of the story.

    “In 2017, the Distinguished Senator Mao Ohuabunwa in line with his commitment to teaching Ndi Abia North to fish instead of giving them fish, embarked on Skill Acquisition Training programme for Abia North Women and Youths in Partnership with Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN) and part of the skills included making pastries; the beneficiaries chose the skills themselves.

    After the training they were given working tools and grant to start up the business with a firm commitment from Senator Mao Ohuabunwa to facilitate access to SMEs loans as the business grows from subsistent stage to SME,” Okoli said.

    The Senator’s aide further noted that the picture trending on the social media ‘is only an edited part of the story to suit the narrative from the usual suspects to achieve an agenda best known to them’ “

    We are not bothered about the narrative these individuals are pushing, the distinguished senator cannot be distracted, his focus on empowering the people of Abia North is already paying off as these women empowered with these equipment are very grateful and they are already impacting positively to their families.

    Other youths who were also trained in Solar Power and other skills are bringing in results” he added. Okoli added that the second phase of the programme is ongoing. One of the beneficiaries of the skill programme, Mrs Ogechi Nwosu from Isuikwuato local government area said that she makes about N3,000 daily from her pastry business. “

  • 2019: APC women writes Buhari, say ‘You have abandoned us’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) women wing, under the auspices the Concerned Women of All Progressives Congress (aka Caucus of Likeminds), have written to President Muhammadu Buhari, complaining of marginalisation of women by the current government, especially those who worked for the party’s success.

    In an open letter to the President by conveners of the group, Miriam Yakubu Ikunaiye and Ayoade Simisola, the women said though they laboured for the success of the party at the risk of losing their families, their contributions have not been appreciated by the government and the party.

    They are, however, seeking audience with the President ahead of preparations for the 2019 elections to discuss their plight and solutions found as they are tired of waiting endlessly for their contribution to be recognised.

    The statement reads: “We have patiently watched with all humility, the sidelining of Women of intellect and character of our great party, APC in the Political Appointments made till date.

    “These are women who worked out their hearts and spent their resources, sometimes at the detriment of their families; traveled the length and breadth of this country to get fair deal for the Women and Youths; Justice; good Governance, succor to the Down Trodden; development to our people and dear nation which in turn ushered in the Progressives’ Government and our great Party to where we are today.

    “Your Excellency, we are women of great capacities, intellect and political sagacity, with huge follower ship across the country, still championing various causes to effect the desired change in our own little ways, but unfortunately, like other great Women of our party, APC whose interests we represent, we are still the unsung heroines of our time!

    “Unfortunately, we were neither appreciated, nor recognised for our bravery and; we can only wonder when we will be able to further bring our skills, experience and passion for change to bear its full cause in this current administration.

    “To this effect, and as 2019 approaches, we would appreciate it if we are given an audience with Your Excellency to further express our plights as a caucus.”

     

     

  • Christmas tragedy! 11 women conveying bride die in auto crash

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kano state on Sunday confirmed that 11 women died in a ghastly auto crash in Kano metropolis on Saturday night.

    FRSC Public Relations Officer, Mr Kabir Ibrahim-Daura told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano that the incident occurred around 8.30 p.m. at the old tollgate near Sa’adatu Abubakar Rimi College of Education.

    According to him, the women were conveying a bride from Unguwa Uku to Yan’lemu area when the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit the tollgate.

    He said eight women died on the spot while the remaining three died at the hospital.

    “Eight persons died on the spot because the vehicle after hitting the tollgate it divided into two instantly, Daura said.

    He said three other women and the male driver were still at the hospital receiving medical attention.

    The FRSC spokesman attributed the accident to over spending and urged other motorists to drive with utmost care by obeying all the traffic rules and regulations.

     

    NAN