Source: This Day Live
Ahead of the 2015 general elections, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), a pro-democracy group, yesterday in Enugu bemoaned the level of participation of women in the governance process since the return of democracy in Nigeria, noting that it had devised strategies to ensure that women take effective part in the coming elections.
To this end, the group has already commenced what it termed 'Team 2015 project', which it described as an awareness-creation project on the critical need for women to participate in the political process at different levels in the country, adding that the project is a direct response to the challenges faced by women in Nigeria in the area of governance and democratic processes.
Addressing newsmen during the Team 2015 Media Advocacy in Enugu, the President of WILPF Nigeria and Coordinator of the Project, Mrs. Joy Onyesoh, explained that the three states of Enugu, Benue and Rivers drawn from three geo-political zones of the country have been selected where intensive mobilisation would be carried out, while efforts were also in top gear to extend the project to other states.
She noted that unlike in other African countries like Rwanda and Liberia, Nigerian women were yet to take advantage of the nation's democratic process, adding that Team 2015 project is committed to not only change the trend but to also ensure sustainable development and have equal gender representation in the decision making table and by so doing effect positive change in governance.
"It had become necessary that we have women at the decision table and policy arena to help shape political discussions. Development is inherent about power and power is politics. Women need to leverage on some of the achievements we have recorded so far in Nigeria and carefully negotiate our way forward, speaking with one voice and demanding accountability all the way.
"This is not the time for half measures; it is very obvious that for us to have equitable access to productive resources, we must expand our space at the decision making table. This however cannot be done individually if we are to feel the impact, but rather collectively," Onyesoh noted.