The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has reiterated the need for involvement of women in governance and national development in the just concluded 100years centenary celebrations of the Nigerian woman tagged ‘Achieving 50/50 by 2020” in Lagos which took place at Eko Hotel and Suites from 18th to 19th April, 2013. She said that no meaningful development can take place without the active involvement of the women for the greater good of the country. She stated that it is worthy of note that Nigerian women have made significant memorable contributions to the development of their various communities, ever before the colonial era and that these women have served as an inspiration to the later day women we have today. She thus canvassed for the passage and domestication of the CEDAW bill and the affirmative action principles by the national assembly as well as the domestication of appropriate instruments and framework on gender and equal opportunities.
While other stakeholders present including the Honourable Minister, Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina, and the representative of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mary Odili, agreed that the event bears eloquent testimony to the importance placed on women all over the world and it is a clarion call to stimulate national and international government agencies into reframing if need be, reviewing where applicable, polices that will realize gender equality and equity. It was agreed that real and durable democracy can only be achieved through the installation of basic democratic structures and the recognition of roles women play in promoting democracy and peace.
According to a press release signed by Rhoda Sika ,consultant to AFLPM, Dame Jonathan expressed the hope that this centenary celebration will serve to emphasize our common history, our common identity and common destiny as a nation, arouse our patriotic instinct, consciousness and highlight our successes and failures in reflecting on the milestones achieved to date while reinforcing our shared values and beliefs. She argued that in spite of these successes, women are yet to arrive at the promised land and urge women to intensify their efforts and become more united so that they can achieve their collective goal. She considers the timing of the conference and the theme which is “100years of the Nigerian Woman; achieving 50/50 by 2020” very appropriate.
According to her, some of the challenges facing Nigerian women include poverty, gender-based violence, discrimination against the girl child, harmful traditional practices and disempowerment based on gender. That it is instructive and delightful to note that for the first time in our history since Independence, Nigeria has 13 female Ministers in the cabinet of 42 representing 31% and six female special advisers out of 18, representing 33.3% in the president Jonathan’s administration, saying not only were women given high visibility in our national politics, but the president boldly and courageously assigned strategic portfolios to them such that has become unprecedented. Reiterating the increasing participation of women in every spheres of our national life, she said this serves as an inspiration to young girls. She added that Nigerian women should continue to show support and appreciation to His Excellency, President Jonathan, for this is the first time in our history that women are being brought to limelight and it is the belief that when women are part of the decision making process and governance, they will be better able to confront and address issues affecting them and she also called for the peaceful co-existence of Nigerians as women and children are most vulnerable during crisis.
