Women strategise for more involvement in policy making

Women strategise for more involvement in policy making
Ijeoma Ugboaja, Abuja
         

Stakeholders in Women Affairs have held talks on how to increase the involvement of women in policies and decision making in Nigeria.

The stakeholders at a National Strategy meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja draw a workable road-map towards a better future for Nigerian Women.

The meeting was held following the low performance by the Nigerian Women political candidates in the 2011 General election.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of women Affairs and Social Development, Mr Idris Kuta said the meeting hoped to achieve a national strategy that will support, strengthen networks and coordinated efforts at empowering Nigerian Women for increased participation in politics and governance.

He also advised on the need to carry state parties along, as the implementation process will definitely involve them.

Mr Kuta said the meeting  aims at establishing strategies that would fast-track the attainment of the goals of the National Gender Policy and provide the needed strategic directions for use by all stakeholders including women politicians before the due date.

Increasing women involvement

On her part, the Nigeria Country Director of UN women, Dr Grace Ongile said that the outcome of the just concluded General Election in Nigeria called for ideas and strategies that would improve women conditions before the next election through wider and deeper consultations at all levels.

The Deputy Director of UNDP, Mr Janthomas Hiemstra emphasized the need for new approaches in addressing the many challenges Nigerian women politicians are facing.

He maintained that it was time for Nigerian men to hold talks about women issues, promising that “UNDP will be in business with Nigeria as they prepare for the next general elections four years from now.”

The meeting had in attendance representatives from the UN Women, National Consultative Group on Women and Democratic Governance in Nigeria, National Planning Commission, UNDP, Action Aid International Civil Society as well as Non -Governmental Organizations.

Williams