Until the women folks are given the opportunity to lead, the desired development and growth crave for in the country might remain a mirage, the chairperson, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Chapter, Dr. Hauwa Evelyn Shakarau has said.
Shakarau said in spite of the discrimination against women in all spheres of life, women world over continue to play a central role in the stability, progress and long-term development of nations, albeit unrecognized.
Shakarau made this known in a lecture titled ‘Refocusing Nigeria towards good governance: The imperative for youth and women involvement’ at the Standup for Women Society, SWS national inauguration in Abuja.
While bemoaning the level of gender inequality in the country, especially in elective positions and political appointments, she said it is high time the country’s leadership position is entrust in the hands of women.
Though United Nations acknowledges that there has been some progress in recent years, Shakarau, said “yet women and girls continue to account for 6 out of 10 of the world’s poorest. Two thirds of the world’s illiterate population are women. Women perform 66% of the world’s work, produce 50% of the world’s food but earn only 10% of the income and own only 1% of the property. Only 19% of the world parliamentarians are women. One third of all women are subjected to violence whether in conflict situations or in the home.”
NBA FCT Chairperson therefore pleaded that women and youths be allowed to participate in the design, implementation, monitoring, report and evaluation of strategies and programmes for the develooment of the crountry.
She added, “When women lead, we see positive results. Some of the most efficient and exemplary responses to the COVID-19 pandemic were led by women. And women, especially young women, are at the fore front of diverse and inclusive movements online and on the streets for social justice, climate change, and equality in all parts of the world. Yet women under 30 are less than 1% of parliamentarians worldwide. The 2021 IWD theme is therefore very apt: “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in COVID-19 World.”
Highlightening the importance of women in the society she said “in Africa, 80% of the agricultural production comes from small farmers most of whom are rural women. They play key role in food production globally. Women are the primary caretakers of children and elders in every country of the world. International studies demonstrated that when the economy and political organization of a society change, women take the lead in helping the family adjust to new realities and challenges.
“Women, particularly rural women are key agents for development. They play a very vital role towards achievement of transformational, economic, environmental and social changes required for sustainable development.
“Women are business entrepreneurs and traders. About 40% of the World’s labour force are women. This does not include informal work in the home, on the land, in the marketplace etc. Women are heads of households most of whom are likely to also have a fulltime job, as well as caring for the children, elderly or sick relatives. Women are mothers, carers and support workers.”
Advocating ways of gettting women involved in the country’s activities she said, “we can increase women and youth participation through different approaches such as education, capacity building and economic empowerment”.
