Dear Nigerian women, as the clock is fast ticking towards 2023 general elections, you must wake up from your deep slumber and emancipate yourselves by participating fully in politics via contesting for political seats at all levels to come to the rescue of other grief-stricken women and change the narratives of the country.
Dear women, I wish to whisper to you that your country has been ranked 149 out of the 153 nations in closing the gender gap worldwide. You also account for most of your country’s unemployment and underrepresentation on account of either your political exclusion or male dominance or pushing you into an embarrassing life.
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Dear women, despite you constituting virtually 50 per cent of your country’s population, most of you are lagging far behind and suffocated by an ineffable grinding poverty as a result of gender disparity, economic inequality, political exclusion, underrepresentation, violence against you, lack of financial empowerment and access to quality education.
Dear women, it is well known by you that there are millions of jobless grief-stricken stay-at-home women among you whose spouses departed this life leaving behind a burden of plenty of children for them across the country. It is estimated that there are more than eight million jobless stranded women with 21 million children across the country. It really makes our hearts bleed seeing these woebegone women that are pushed into pitiable street begging owing to gigantic lingering barriers banning them from climbing the social ladder. Do these miserable women not deserve to be led by their gender to save their bacon?
According to psychologists, females are more caring and empathetic than males. This is why female leaders are seen as more empathetic than their male counterparts. The crucial question here is are those few women who are currently holding some elective and appointive positions making a big difference or displaying that anticipated empathetic concern for other women?
Dear women, I want to tell you that Nigeria’s toddling democracy will be deeply gratified to see your massive participation in the upcoming political arena of the country as candidates. It is also expected that you model yourselves on the epic efforts of your yesteryears’ female ancestors – Queen Amina, Queen Moremi Ajasoro, Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo, Chief Alimotu Pelewura, Ladi Kwali, Nana Asma’u, Queen Aduni Fatima and others.
Dear women, I wish to whisper to you that the Special Seats Bill, which is regarded as your dawn of fate, was rejected by the Lower Chamber earlier this month. When these legislators go back to you during their forthcoming vacation, your groups and organisations should go to them and plead with them to vote for your Special Seats Bill in the next round.
Dear women, as you are well aware, economic inequality is the greatest threat exacerbating the embarrassing life of most of you across the country. This frightening economic inequality will only be addressed by your empathetic leadership.
It seems Nigeria’s shaky democracy went out of its mind because of how its fundamental principles are now being violated by male leadership. It has now pinned its hope and faith on you to snatch some political seats come 2023. I am so enthusiastic to witness your full participation in Nigeria’s politics by emerging here and there as candidates.
Mustapha Baba, Alkali Musa Street, Azare, Bauchi State
