NGO trains political party leaders on women contestants in Bauchi
By Ahmed AHMED
An Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Attah Sister Helping Hands Foundation (ASHHF) in Bauchi state has trained political party leaders on the need to empower women candidates and political participation.
Mrs Comfort Attah, Executive Director of the foundation said at the closing ceremony of the two days capacity building for political party leaders on Wednesday in Bauchi that women need to be level, opening opportunities for all.
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She said the capacity building was for political parties to encourage women political candidates.
“To help build their capacities, and offer voter and civic education and sensitization campaigns on gender equality.
“Almost all believe women also bring different perspectives than men to their work in Congress because of their life experiences,”
“Attah explained that Women’s political participation results in tangible gains for democracy, including greater responsiveness to citizen needs, increased cooperation across party and ethnic lines, and more sustainable peace.
“We back gender equality advocates in calling on political parties, governments and others to do their part in empowering women.
” Women are underrepresented as voters, as well as in leading positions, whether in elected office, the civil service, the private sector or academia, The ED said.
She said the capacity building of the 20 political leaders from two local government areas of Bauchi and Ganjuwa with 10 participants from each of the LGAs was supported by Nigeria Women Trust Fund (NWTF) funded by Ford Foundation.
Mrs Attah promise to follow up with the political parties to ensure women are given tickets before primary elections,
“We have already started engaging themselves through the work plan in the activities that will be carried out by ASHH,” she said.
Responding on behalf of the participants Malam Kani Yakubu PDP Bauchi and Alhaji Khalid Mohammed APC Ganjuwa have lauded the effort of the NGO saying the training was timely.
They also said women face several obstacles to participating in political life as well as structural barriers through discriminatory laws and institutions still limit women’s options to run for office.
The participants pledges that this time around the political parties have provided different windows for women to participate in politics.
Our correspondent reports that the political parties at the training include People Democratic party (PDP) All Progressive Congress (APC) New Nigeria People Party (NNPP).
Others are People Democratic Movement (PDM) People Redemption Party (PRP) among others.
