It is time to involve more women in politics, governance – Ramatu Tijjani

By Taofeek LAWAL, Abuja

Minister of State, FCT, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has called for involvement of more women in leadership positions. The minister made the assertion during the international press conference marking the FCT National Women’s Day Celebration organised by FCTA Social Development Secretariat (SDS).

While acknowledging the appreciable impacts the likes of Nigerian First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, the Director General, World Trade Organization (WTO), the Deputy General, United Nations Organization (UNO), Ms Amina Mohammed, Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed among others have made globally, the minister said it is time for women to challenge all that have been holding them back to become better allies. According to Tijjani Aliyu, when women choose to challenge, what usually follows is positive change that makes the difference especially in the area of women emancipation.

“Time has come for more women’s participation in legislative and executive arms of government in Nigeria. When women lead, we see positive results; some of the most efficient and exemplary responses to Covid-19 pandemic were led by women. Young women are at the forefront of diversity and equality in all parts of the world, yet, women under 30 are less than one percent of parliamentarians worldwide.  Women across the world want and deserve an equal future free from stigma, stereotypes and violence; a future that is sustainable, peaceful, and violent-free with equal rights and opportunities for all. To attain this height, the world needs women at every table where decisions are being made. We must press together, we must progress together no matter the storm, for as long as we are together, be rest assured that we will overcome it,” the minister said.

The Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said the issue of human trafficking is feminine because more than 80 percent of those being trafficked are women.

 Represented by the Director, Counselling and Rehabilitation, Mrs Ulasi Ebele Veron, Sulaiman-Ibrahim commended the initiative and commitments of the Social Development Secretariat of the FCTA for organizing the events and bringing issues that affect women to the front burner. She said NAPTIP has collaborated with several national and international NGOs, civil society organizations (CSOs), the National Council for Women Society (NCWS) embassies, faith-based organizations and others to forestall all forms of human trafficking; gender-based violence and other forms of crimes against humanity are nipped in the bud.

In their separate remarks at the event, NCWS President and National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) President, Dr (Mrs) Laraba Shoda and Mrs Ladi Bala respectively called for support for all women in all leadership positions while adding that Nigeria will make the desired progress when more women are allowed in politics and governance.