Ahead of the 2023 governorship election in Kogi state, Crystal Youth and Women Empowerments Initiative (CYWEI), in collaboration with the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, has trained over 50 women leaders in Adankolo community to enable them take their rightful positions in the scheme of things.
The training which held in Lokoja on Saturday had representatives from different groups, including Yoruba, Hausa, Bassa Nge, Kakanda, Igala and Ebira communities.
The mobilization of the womenfolk according to the Initiator of Crystal Youth and Women Empowerments Initiative, Khadijat Abubakar has become imperative owing to their low participation in either party election or elective position at all levels in the country.
She stressed the need for women not to relegate themselves politically in the country, adding that, they should come out in their numbers to exercise their franchise on November 11 in Kogi state.
Khadijat, who maintained that women have what it takes to change the political fortunes of Kogi state as it concern the forthcoming governorship election, noted that the training will further equip women on voters education, their political rights and the need to engage key stakeholders for a transparent, free and fair election.
“We discovered that a lot of women lack that ability and confidence to participate politically. There is this sentiment that usually bothers them. They needed people to reawaken their confidence for a better society for all.
“It is worthy to note that we grew up in a community where women only listen. So, it is important we begin to act too. The main aim of this training is to promote women participation and build in their confidence to develop themselves politically.
“This will enable them understand their political rights, participate actively in electioneering process, especially as they decide who becomes the governor in the upcoming Kogi state Gubernatorial Election and beyond,” she said.
The facilitator at the event, Siddiqah Abubakar, discussed issues ranging from the importance of women in political structure and process, enhancing women participation in election, rights of voters, voter responsibilities, election preparedness, how to vote and electoral offences.
“At the end of this training, we were able to restore their confidence and trust with the promise to cascade knowledge learnt to the rest members in their respective communities,” he stated.
The participants, on their part, identified some barriers hindering women from effective participation in politics to include cultural and religious barriers, systemic discrimination by political parties, lack of internal party democracy, godfatherism, intimidation by the dominating men and lack of funds.
