By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Bauchi State has urged women to get registered, collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and participate actively in supporting their womenfolk seeking elective offices.
INEC Gender officer in Bauchi, Mrs. Naomi Yusuf made the call at a one-day symposium to commemorate the 2022 International Women’s day in Bauchi.
Naomi explained that women, particularly at the community level should ensure that they get registered and obtain their permanent voters cards (PVCs), preparatory to the 2023 polls
“To enable them to vote for women seeking elective offices in their respective communities, they must obtain PVCs and formally register to vote in elections”
She described as disheartening to see women contesting elective offices and never make it beyond the primary elections because they have no support whatsoever.
“If women can mobilize themselves and support their fellow women, more women will win elective offices which will benefit them in the future,” Mrs. Yusuf said.
The symposium was organized by the Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative in collaboration with Action aid Nigeria, with the theme” Gender Equality Today for a sustainable Tomorrow’s,”
Also Speaking, Hajiya Maryam Garba the Executive Director Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative(FAWODYI), lamented that the number of women in elective position in the country was very low compared to their male counterparts,
She therefore called on women to breach the gap by seeking elective offices so that women can get fair representation at the local, state and national levels.
Garba explained that the aim of the symposium was to sensitize women on the need for them to break the gender barriers against them by ensuring that more women are in elective offices.
“The number of women we have in our elective offices both at the state and national level is not encouraging at all.
“We are the only one that can change the narrative by supporting ourselves to ensure that we support any woman seeking an elective position” She said
On her part, Mrs Comfort Sulisma, the Special Assistant to the Bauchi state Governor on Special Duties, said that the fear of rejection has hindered so many women from contesting elective offices.
Sulisma noted that so many factors ranging from religion, gender bias, tradition amongst others have made many women hide in their shell without exploring their potential.
Mrs. Sulisma stressed the need for women to push for the 35 percent affirmative action to have fair representation at all levels of governance.
“Women empowerment remains the tools for poverty eradication and human development.
On her part Mrs Comfort Attah, Executive Director Attah Sisters Helping Hands Foundation (ASHHF) appealed to the National Assembly to reconsider the bills that deny women rights.
She urged women to remain committed and steadfast in the agenda for the inclusion of women in government.
