NCWS Backs Tallen’s Senatorial Aspiration, Tasks Nigerian Women On 2023 Polls

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Determined to change the gender equity narratives in the next National Assembly, the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) has declared support for the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, in pursuit of her senatorial aspiration.

The National President of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Lau, as the umbrella body of women organisations in Nigeria, the Council will do its utmost best to give the Minister the necessary support she needs to win her election.

In a statement released in Abuja on Thursday, Hajiya Lau said that there is no stopping the council from fully supporting Tallen’s political ambition, adding; “We join the women and youths from Southern Jos, Plateau State, to congratulate our minister, mother, sister, and wife, on her ambition for the senatorial position.

“Over the years, there has been a sustained poor representation and gender imbalance of women in all spheres of life. The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report ranking on Women’s Political participation ranked Nigeria 102 in 2019, the country is worse now than in 2010 when it ranked 99th worldwide.

“This is a growing concern for the council and we must work hard to narrow the gap of Nigerian women’s participation in politics.”

According to her, the success of the Gender Policy Framework largely depends on the extent to which it attracts high-level support in government at all levels, noting that this can only be achieved with meaningful changes if the highest political level of governance embraces gender equality principles and practice.

The NCWS President further said; “Even as gender has been adopted at the global level as a yardstick for measuring progress in development, this is a clarion call on Nigerian women not to support or vote blindly come 2023 General Elections.

“We will only support political parties that have at least 35 per cent women representation in both elective and appointive positions. We will also look at parties that have the interests of women in their party structures and manifestoes.”

She said “Women’s participation is central and crucial to our national growth and development. Now is the time for women to take the bull by the horn”, adding that; “As a council, we will support all women aspirants to make sure they become candidates, and also ensure that we support them to win the various positions they are vying for,” she said.

Reports said a coalition of women and youth groups from Southern Jos, purchased the All Progressives Party (APC), senatorial nomination form for the Minister ahead of the ruling party primaries that will be taking place later this month.

The group said that backing Tallen’s aspiration was in recognition of her antecedents in her service to humanity, especially to women and children.