Abuja: Dr Kema Chikwe, a former Minister of Aviation, alongside various stakeholders, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to enhance women's participation in governance ahead of the 2027 political elections. Chikwe, who is also the former Ambassador of Nigeria to Ireland, made her appeal during the eighth anniversary of the Women Leadership Institute conference held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Chikwe, serving as the conference Convener, highlighted the event's theme, 'Women leading together- power in partnership, purpose in action'. She emphasized that the conference aimed to mobilize and strategize for women to support one another. Chikwe remarked on the significance of the president's policy direction and recent directives to state governors on poverty alleviation, power, and agriculture, as they pertain to women's development. However, she stressed that women should not merely be beneficiaries of certain policies but should be actively involved in their formulation and implementation.
Chikwe urged President Tinubu to ensure that his legacy reflects a genuine commitment to gender inclusion, stating that the number of women in both national and state assemblies is currently inadequate. She pointed out that the absence of women in legislative spaces results in fewer voices championing gender equity, social justice, and inclusive policies. Chikwe called for women to be present and prepared at decision-making tables, advocating for a united and purposeful approach.
Highlighting the lack of representation of women in the current National Assembly as troubling, Chikwe asserted that when women lead alongside men, nations prosper. She affirmed the transformative power of partnership and the importance of aligning purpose with action.
Dr Cecilia Umoren, the Keynote Speaker, urged women to disregard political gimmicks suggesting that women are adversaries to one another. Umoren emphasized the necessity for women to actively participate in politics and contribute to national development. She encouraged women to make strategic political decisions that will enable a meaningful impact in the 2027 elections and beyond.
Additionally, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, the Former First Lady of Ekiti State, emphasized the importance of partnership and urged women to confront the challenges in the journey toward gender equality. Fayemi called on women to deliberately strategize and align with policies that support the mainstreaming of women in leadership.