As part of effort towards promoting greater women participation in electoral and governance processes, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) organized One Day Sensitization Programme.
In his opening remarks, the Director–General NOA, represented by the Deputy Director, Political Civic Ethic and Value Department, Mr Edozie Ajaegbu said that the Agency, disturbed by evidence showing women being neglected from the contest of leadership, the struggle for gender equality and quest for active and qualitative representation at all levels of governance, is the reason why the programme was conceptualized.
Edozie called for active participation of women in electoral process that is, registering to join a political party of their choice, thereby becoming a card carrying member, showing interest to contest elective positions. According to him, the time is now for women to begin to show more impact in governance.
The use of traditional and religious leaders to amplify sensitization messages is a core strategy adopted by the NOA during programmes and events. To this end, choice of guest at the event were deliberate, notably; Rev. Shuaibu L. Zarmai, Senior Pastor, ECWA Church, Jikwoyi; Imam Sani Adamu Sani Jikwoyi, Chief Imam Jikwoyi Abuja; District Head, HRH Mr Nicodemus Machi; Esu Jikwoyi, HRH Rev. Bawa S. Jetta; Representative of INEC, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Mrs Ogbechie Okwudili Patience. They all gave Goodwill Messages and were well received from the participants in which all expressed the timeous nature of the programme viz-a-viz the rising need to remove obstacles that impedes on women participation in governance.
Resource Person, Mrs Chinwe Ikharahoa urged participants at the event to take part in governance processes, register and collect voter’s card, and vote during elections. She also encouraged them to make themselves available for elective positions. She identified key points towards promoting women participation in governance. These include, joining women groups, registering in political parties, supporting women aspiring for elective positions, shunning vote buying/selling and ensuring the girl child gets educated.