Ace broadcaster and journalist, Adaora Onyechere Sydney-Jack has called for the inclusion of more women in Nigerian politics.
She made the call during the launch of her book titled Politics, X and Power”, which held in Abuja on Thursday.
Adaora stated that the purpose of writing the book was to document her experience in politics as a woman.
She said: “Politics has different layers that opened my eyes to a lot of things. This emboldened my calls for women’s participation in politics because it constitutes an emergency.
“I realised that a lot of women were facing stereotypes and the negative gender identity. So I thought it wise to address femininity and to demystify the stereotypes that limit women’s potentials.”
Also addressing newsmen at the event, National Women leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Amina Divine Arong appealed to stakeholders across all political parties to support women to hold leadership positions.
She stated that females who exude confidence always get it from male figures in their lives, especially their fathers.
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“It is always good to see people review their experiences in politics. We all have different experiences. I got into politics when I was just 25 years old, but 25 years later, I realised that nothing has changed in terms of women’s participation.
“Right now, the political space is shrinking. We are beginning to ask questions. Our society is patriarchal. The issue of politics, the kind we play and the model is male-dominated. For us to succeed as women, we need the cooperation of men.
“When you see a girl child who is smart and confident, look around her. You will see a mentor, most likely a father. When you see a wife or a woman who is thriving, she has a husband solidly behind her. I am so proud of my husband because he is my support base. I am appealing to the men to give us a chance at the table and support us.
“Women are asking for advocacy. We appeal to our traditional rulers, and politicians to talk to men to give us a chance.
“Five gender-based bills were presented before the National Assembly and they were all rejected. In other climes, you will see a high percentage of women’s participation in their political landscape.
“I am very happy that Adaora has documented all her experiences. We all have different experiences. Political parties need to reinvent the will by having more women in leadership positions.
“Let us revisit how men look at us as women. We could even practise godmothers. In terms of the book and its title, it was a vista of curiosity for people to open it and read that page”, she noted.
