Source: Daily Independent
Following the realisation that only a few young women between the ages of 18 to 35, participate actively in politics, a non-governmental group, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) last weekend organised a training on leadership for adolescent girls and women to further build their capacity in meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the times.
The training; tagged "Meet the Mentors/Mentees Meeting", had the sole female presidential candidate of KOWA party, Professor Remi Sonaiya, Josephine Anenih, amongst other women.
Speaking at the occasion, Executive Director, WARDC, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said the aim of the gathering is to improve the participation of Adolescent Girls and Women(AGW) in governance processes and institutions as well as provide opportunities for the AGW, who have potentials and have shown interest to contest for elective offices within political parties, student union government and other sectors of the society to be mentored by seasoned parliamentarians and successful women in their various fields.
Noting, "We realised that within political parties there is only a few young people who have been participating actively. If you look at this election and look at the data of young people from 18 to 35, you will find that less than 10percent of the total number are taking up one position or the other.
"It is important for us to begin to adjust our minds to making young people more active in the process of development and democracy. The whole thing is to begin to bring them up to see people who have been there and have excelled within political parties, student unions to become like mentors to these young ones.
Dr. Abiola Akiyode Afolabi, Ward C, Executive Director (right), Prof. Remi Sonaiya, KOWA Party presidential asspirant, Mrs. Iyom Josephine Anenih, former Minister of Women Affairs, Amina Alihu, at a resource training, held recently in Lagos. Photo: Chinyere Abiaziem
"The attitude that these youths don't know anything should change; General Yakubu Gowon and Barack Obama became head of state and president respectively at young ages, so we need to begin to change the way we think and our mind-set."
Speaking further, Afolabi faulted the constitution for not giving room to youths in contesting for governorship and presidential positions. Concurring with the call for the constitution amendment, she uttered; "once you can vote then you should be allowed to contest for any position in the country."
The activist also charged women to take their destinies into their hands in this election by choosing wisely who gets their votes. "I am not saying anyone is a messiah but we need to identify people that are not corrupt, its what we make of the society that we see. We need to take our destinies into our hands and see Nigeria as our own, the way Americans view theirs, otherwise the future generations will suffer for it," she said.
Another Mentee, Amina Salihu, who spoke on "Engendering Leadership Discourse in Nigeria, The role of Mentors and Mentees", said Leadership is inspiring oneself to inspire others as one cannot give what he or she does not have.
Salihu highlighted the requirement of leadership to be Justice for All, Reclaiming and preserving ourselves, Reviewing our biases and fears, Standing upfront in difficult situations and Encouraging hierarchies of imagination rather than of power.
She however concluded that politics geared towards gender equality and women empowerment is not negotiable.
In her view, Professor Sonaiya, stressed that young people must begin to show sensitivity to issues, ask questions and acquire useful knowledge. While the society at large will need to put aside the aspects of culture which negates gender equality and by extension hinders the progress of the nation.
Former minister of women Affairs and a former gubernatorial aspirant in Anambra State, Josephine Anenih encouraged all to vote for candidates who will fulfil their electoral promises.