Edo NLC-WC Charges Women to take active participation in politics
3 min read
By Adesuwa Ehimuan
The Chairperson of Nigeria Labour Congress – Women Committee, NLC-WC Edo State, Comrade Itohan Philomena has charged women to take part in active politics and support each other to enthrone power.
She stated this at the 2024 International Women’s Day Celebration which was held at the Teacher’s House in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.
Comrade Philomena noted that the event was held yearly and it was an avenue to call on women to know their position. She emphasized that as the theme says Inspire Inclusion, women need active participation in leadership role and politics, and so it was an opportunity to encourage women to have the boldness, zeal and determination.
According to her “Orientation and Re-orientation is what is needed for women to be at the top. Women must learn to support women in all spheres of life so women can be successful”.
The Keynote Speaker, Comrade B. S. Kadiri said “Women have to change the narrative, stressing that the time to do that is now, every home deserves the best”.
Labour is waiting for you to be the process. Women should learn to support each other in all phases of life. This is not a time of lamentation but a time to brace up for the mantle of leadership”.
“When a women comes out to be voted for, women should support her and be lovers of ourselves, and vote for their fellow women, If you are given any position put in your best and strive for Excellence”
The Guest speaker, Comrade Caroline Aikhoriogie enumerated some factors Militating against women in politics as lack of financial resources, Insufficient education and political enlightenment, Cultural factor, Lack of adequate recognition for women by the Authorities, Patriarchal ideology of the society about women’s roles and cultural beliefs which have created lots of backwardness for women by way of gender inequality.
She admonished women to be proud of themselves, “Women if no one invests in you, invest in yourself, if no one believes in you, believe in yourself, even if the results are not showing as fast as you expect”.
“Do not allow your background to put your back on the ground. Where you are coming from is not what defines you but rather where you are going in life. You must endeavour in life to ensure that where you are going in life does not in any way look like where you are coming from. No matter what you are going through in life, you can rise above your background” .
The honourable member representing Orhiomwon/Uhunmwode Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chief Billy Adesuwa Osawaru said that Women are self inspired despite the present economic reality, they still juggle their job with the home front.
“Inclusion of women in leadership and governance is very pertinent that is why our President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu ensure women are adequately represented”. Billy said.
“Women should learn to stand together and stop backbiting, if women stick together, there will always be space for them in politics. Instead of losing such space, they should come together and get more space in politics” .
There was health talk on how women should care for themselves, and a Cultural display by pupils of Uwa primary school. Some dignitaries at the event were former NLC Chairman Edo State, Comrade Emmanuel Ademokun, Commissioner for Social Development and Gender Issues ably represented by Mrs. Nwaozor Florence, amongst others.
