NIGERIA: Tambuwal Want's Greater Women Participation in Politics

This was in response to the request of United Nation (UN) Women Executive Director, Ms Michelle Bachelet ,that barrier against women participation in government be removed by Nigerian authorities.

The UN Under-Secretary, who was a former President of Chile, led a delegation of the organization to the House of Representatives yesterday. Bachelet who though commended Nigeria for the huge consideration given women in the present dispensation however asserted that to achieve the goal of becoming a global economic power house by 2020, Nigeria must do more for women.

She said "It is internationally recognized that many of the challenges confronting the world today, whether we are talking of sustainable development, climate change, food security, conflicts or sustainable peace, everybody is saying it requires full participation of women;

"That, I think we need to match that recognition with action. Document is not enough and one of the best places to make this political will to advance women causes is the parliament".

While pleading with the legislature to expedite action on the passage of gender and equal opportunity as well as violence against women bills, Bachelet enjoined the country to domesticate her international commitments on women and children,

She however assured that UN Women would stand by the country to advance equality between men and women both at home and in the larger society.

In his response, Tambuwal said Nigeria has shown enough that it was determined to advance the roles and rights of women going by the opportunities that been created for women all sectors of Nigerian government. He however stressed that it was the duty of women to do more for themselves in the realization of the goals of gender equality and human rights

"The ongoing constitution review exercise is attempting to address some other fundamental issues militating against women. Specifically, the issue of elective offices, that is an area I believe a lot has to be done also by women.

"In some communities, I must admit it's very difficult, like Yobe, Niger Gombe and some other states that have few women parliamentarians. So we need to do a lot more sensitization for the rest members of the public to accept the fact that, women, given the opportunity can even do far better than their male counterparts.

"I believe that has to be done more by our women groups in convincing the rest of the public that if a woman is given the chance, she can even do better," Tambuwal said.

The UN Women entourage includes the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zanab Maina and Nigerian Permanent Representative to the UN Professor Joy Ogwu among others.