Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
In order to increase female representation in governance in Nigeria, a leading non-governmental organisation, Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), partnered with a renowned author, Ms Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, to raise funds to support credible female candidates in the general elections starting next month.
At a special fundraiser held recently, it was disclosed that the idea emanated from the 2022 WISCAR Annual Leadership and Mentoring Conference.
During the event themed For the Nation, The Power of Inclusion, Ms Adichie emphasised the urgent need to enable women’s political participation and accelerate women’s inclusion in governance.
This spurred the organisers of the event to come up with a fundraiser to support women vying for elective positions in government.
Some of the female candidates present at the fundraiser event were Hawwah Gambo, House of Representative candidate; Ireti Kingibe, Senatorial candidate; Adeola Azeez, House of Representatives candidate; Simi Olusola, State House of Assembly candidate; and Joyce Daniels, Local Government candidate, while a governorship candidate, Mrs Aishatu Binani, and a senatorial candidate, Mrs Idiat Adebule, were recognised in absentia.
The founder of WISCAR, Ms Amina Oyagbola, noted that the concept was “in line with our mission of developing women to build a better nation.”
“We understand the necessity of galvanizing action to accelerate women’s inclusion in governance and ensuring active female participation in all spheres of our nation.
“In the 2019 elections, we were disappointed by the decline of female representation in all strata of governance.
“As 2023 is a critical election year, we have taken this step to galvanize support and raise funds to boost the campaigns of credible female candidates across party lines running for various offices for the good of the nation,” she added.
Ms Oyagbola further said, “We are non-partisan and non-political and are, therefore, not concerning ourselves with political parties. Our focus is on the viability of the candidates and equitable female representation.
“We must all agree that the solutions to our national questions lie in the hands of all of us. Our shared prosperity, the development and growth of our economy, and the welfare and progress of our people must be established and secured by all Nigerians. That is why the democratic ideal of all-inclusive governance must be promoted and given great importance.”
Also commenting, Ms Adichie said, “The case for women candidates and political representation is not about women being better, but that women are full citizens.
“If we want a better democracy, we should also want better representation, as you cannot have half of the population severely underrepresented in governance. Role models are important because when we see what is possible, then we are more likely to think that it is doable.
“I believe in Nigeria, so I am very happy to see that there are women who also believe and are working to make our nation better, but this cannot be achieved without men.
“The advocacy for the inclusion of women cannot be actualized without the collaboration and participation of men. We all have an opportunity today and during the upcoming election to make a difference that counts.”
