Politics

SPEAK WEDNESDAY ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WOMEN IN POLITICS

Female Roles in Nation Building, Gender Equality, Nation Building, Politics, Speak Wednesday, Women, Women in Leadership, Women's Rights /

The significance of women’s involvement in politics cannot be emphasized enough when it comes to promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Women have been inadequately represented in politics throughout history due to various cultural factors. On the other hand, recent advances by women in politics have proven the importance of equal representation for women in this sphere. Despite advances in some areas, women in Nigeria face several hurdles when entering politics. Traditional gender roles, patriarchal conventions, and negative stereotypes frequently impede women from seeking active engagement in politics.

 

In Nigeria, the National Gender Policy (NGP) was created in 2006 to address the gender imbalance. The NGP advocates for a 35% Affirmative Action (AA) to ensure women are adequately represented in all governance processes.

 

Significantly, women in leadership positions, especially in developing nations, have the obligation and the potential to affect their society through leadership, particularly when empowered. Women who are empowered can aspirate for, achieve, and excel in leadership roles while also playing their roles at home.

 

Women are empowered when educated, exposed, and given economic freedom. Women in leadership roles have had an excellent social impact throughout history and in every nation. Such women have a long history in human history. Notably, influential figures such as Okonjo Iweala and Dora Akunyili have demonstrated that women can significantly contribute to a country’s political economy.

 

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.

 

#SpeakWednesday #WomenInPolitics #Women’sRights #GenderStereotype #GenderBias #GenderInequality

 

REFERENCES

Emeka, E. O & Monica, E. A. 2015. Women and Leadership in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects.

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY

Gender, Health, Politics, WHO, Women, Women in Leadership /

FEMALE ROLES IN POLICY MAKING

Policies are deliberate systems enacted by those in positions of authority to define the rules, standards, regulations, and procedures that affect almost every aspect of human life such as education, health, agriculture, migration, aviation, finance, defence, environment, trade, justice, transportation, science and technology.

Valentina Tereshkova quotes, a bird cannot fly with one wing only. Human space flight cannot develop any further without the active participation of women. Yet, for several decades, the society encouraged male dominance and totally excluded women from occupying positions that influence key decision making processes. Forgetting that making policies without the contribution of women may not adequately reflect the needs and preferences of women, youths, and children.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a Nigerian-born economist and international development expert who during her tenor as the Minister of Finance for Nigeria, helped the country’s economy grow an average of 6% (per annum) over three years. She is credited with developing reform programs that helped improve governmental transparency and stabilizing the economy. Another example is Angela Merkel, who transformed German politics since being voted into office in 2005. Her numerous achievements at home and abroad have seen her top Forbes’ most powerful women list eight times.

A Member of Parliament in Rwanda, Thacienne Dusabeyezu once said, “The more women in the parliament, the better it is for children”. This is because women are generally more attached to children than men and they understand the needs of children. Hence, are more likely to enact child-friendly policies.

The role of women in policy making and implementation is essential in every society to help advance gender equality. Most women elected to be in the parliament will place women concerns and rights at the forefront of their agendas, suggesting policies that would promote women and speaking against policies that abuse women rights and deter their development.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said that to fix the gridlock in Congress, more women should be involved. This is because women are more focused on finding common ground and collaborating. Women are characterized by tenderness, love, care, creativity, innovation, reliability, and if more women are key decision makers, perhaps organizations could respond effectively to challenges before the challenges are escalated to bigger problems.

It is inappropriate to ignore the intellectual capital resource of over half the population of the world.  To address global injustice and advocate for compassionate policies, both men and women must recognize the value of a balance in government. Women should not simply emulate the male role model, but should bring their own principles to every negotiating table.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of Centre for Family Health Initiative to stop the cycle of domestic violence by breaking the silence around gender based violence and gender bias. Join us every Wednesday on all our social media handles for more episodes.

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY

Gender, Politics, WHO, Women, Women in Leadership /

GENDER ROLES IN LEADERSHIP

With the increasing interventions and awareness to promote equal rights and opportunities for boys and girls in Africa, more females are raising their voices against gender inequality. Women are now asserting their power as global ground breakers dominating fields and positions of leadership that were exclusively reserved for men. Women are seizing opportunities and attaining heights of success.

Around the world, women are leading countries. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom has been the reigning queen since 1952. Africa is not left out. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was the first elected female head of state in Africa. She served as the President of Liberia from 2006 to 2018. Catherine Samba-Panza served as interim President of the Central African Republic from 2014 to 2016. She was the first to hold that position in the country. Dame Virginia Ngozi Etiaba served as the governor of Anambra State, Nigeria, from 2006-2007.

Anyone irrespective of gender who possesses leadership skills and qualities can be a leader. Thus, men and women show distinct leadership traits and qualities. Many argue that women cannot withstand the challenges that come with leadership because their biological formation detests stress and pressure.  Women are judged to be reserved and soft so they can be easily swayed. Well, these qualities are more of strengths than weaknesses. The soft nature of women makes them considerate leaders that listen to the plight of the masses and strive to protect the interest of the people they serve. This is a unique leadership quality called selflessness.

Compassion is an asset every leader must possess. A leader must be compassionate, deferential, submissive, self-effacing, and treat everyone with the same level of dignity. A compassionate and humble leader will learn from others and accept mistakes because he/she is not all knowing. Women are not just compassionate and humble, they are innovative, creative, and logical thinkers. Selecting leaders based on these attributes would definitely produce more female than male leaders. These attributes earn female leaders the collaboration and cooperation of the followers to advance for a better future.

Women led nations seem to be particularly successful in fighting COVID-19. New York Times reports that the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel has had fewer death rates than France, Italy and Spain. 34 year old Sanna Marin who is the Prime Minister of Finland with collaboration of 4 female led parties has had far lower deaths than nearby Sweden. Without a total national lock down, Tsai Ing-wen the female president of Taiwan has achieved one of the most successful efforts in the world at containing Corona Virus.

Women should be given more opportunities to occupy positions of leadership. Instead of criticizing the leadership abilities of women, men should be encouraged to embrace unique leadership traits of women leaders. The world will advance for the better when this is achieved.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of Centre for Family Health Initiative to stop the cycle of domestic violence by breaking the silence around gender-based violence.  Join us every Wednesday on all our social media handles for more episodes.

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY

Gender, Health, Politics, WHO, Women /

SPEAK WEDNESDAY – WOMEN TRAFFICKING AND SEX SLAVERY

Human is a universal word used to describe a person irrespective of age, gender, physical attributes, religion, social affiliations, cultural and traditional beliefs, economic capabilities, family background and educational qualifications. This means the universe equates us as one. We are all the same kind but designed to have various peculiarities. The vulnerable and less privileged are not inferior versions of humans so we must not take advantage of them. They are not commodities to be traded for sex slavery, forced labour, rituals or even forced into marriage.

Human trafficking/trading is inhumane and illegal and it is mostly used as a medium for economic exploitation of its victims and it can be done within or outside a particular environment. It involves coercion, intimidation, manipulation, brutality, control, abduction, fraud, isolation from family, threats, and violence in some cases. All these characteristics violate the basic rights of humans as citizens of the earth. Humans are not for sale!

Anyone can be a victim of human trafficking but there are risk factors that increase ones vulnerability of falling prey to human traffickers. Most potential victims of trafficking desire to migrate to places where they will have better lives with better living conditions. Traffickers take advantage of this desire by promising to sponsor the trips, give the vulnerable ones jobs or enroll them in schools. Some parents give out or sell their children to wealthy friends, relatives and even strangers not minding if they are human traffickers or not. This practice has to stop because every child deserves the right to be cared for and protected by their parents or guardian.

Unfortunate circumstances such as kidnap make the victims more vulnerable to human traffickers. Most African countries have porous borders. People are trafficked across borders but many of them have not being identified and saved. Also, corrupt government officials and officers hide and protect the perpetuators of human trafficking thereby encouraging it in the society. Other risk factors are unemployment, riot, poverty, natural disasters and war that can lead to displacement, and political instability.

Boys and men are victims of trafficking. However, majority of individuals who are victims of human trafficking are women and girls. In Africa, our culture devalues women and girls and this makes them more vulnerable to trafficking. Due to stigmatization, some of these girls in trying to escape toxic environments and families, end up meeting the wrong people who will lure them into joining the a team that will later be forced into prostitution and others converted into baby production machines. They are raped brutally and impregnated against their will. Worst of all, they are deprived the privilege of motherhood after birthing their children. The newborns are sold, some killed to be used for rituals. The female suffer from physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse.

Casualties of human trafficking suffer devastating consequences such as psychological trauma, body pains, injury, bruises from physical assault, post-traumatic stress, depression that can lead to suicide, sexual transmitted diseases, and unwanted pregnancies. Most individuals who were victims of human trafficking and were rescued find it difficult to enjoy a normal life. It may be difficult for them to earn an independent living through an honest means after they are rescued. These victims lose their self-esteem and isolate themselves from people. Some of the trafficked persons die from physical assault or even poorly managed infections, others during child birth. Some victims of trafficking are killed and their body parts extracted to be used for ritual purposes.

Creating awareness in social groups is one of the effective ways to fight human trafficking. Talk about the dangers and effects of human trafficking. Teach them the indicators of human trafficking and tactics used by human traffickers. Social media is also a good medium to advocate, educate and sensitize people to issues of women and girls trafficking in the society. Parents should be discouraged from giving out their children to affluent families for work. The government can work with different Community Based Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations to provide various forms of interventions to victims and survivors of women trafficking and sex slavery. Centre for Family Health Initiative will continue to mentor and sensitize young and vulnerable girls and create opportunities for them to acquire skills that will empower them financially in order to combat the will to migrate illegally.

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