NGO unveils project for women participation in politics, decision-making in Sokoto
A Non Governmental Organisation (NGO),
Productive Community for Sustainable Development Initiatives (PCSDI), has unveiled a project toward advancing women’s participation in political and decision-making processes in Sokoto state.
The project was formally launched by Hajia Hauwa’u Jabo, the Director Women in the Sokoto State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs among other stakeholders in Sokoto.
The Executive Director of PCSDI, Mr Nura Bello, said the project was tagged “Enhancing Women Participation in Politics and Decision-Making in Sokoto State” aimed at encouraging women engagements.
Nura said the project gears toward creating awareness, sensitisations and promoting gender friendly political spaces as well community dialogue on women participation in politics.
He added that the project also aimed at strengthening partnerships, strong collaborations, engaging traditional, religious leaders, politicians and media to advocate for achieving the goals.
The Executive Director highlighted that training and capacity building initiatives, mentorship programme, leadership skills and public speaking strategies were designed to harness their potentialities.
According to him, overall objective was to create enabling environment respectful and safe for women politicians and adopt national and state gender policy in their political affairs.
He said all the programme were designed to suit cultural, religious and traditional norms toward addressing socio-cultural and institutional barriers, and promote inclusive governance across Sokoto State.
In her address, the Director Women, Jabo assured maximum support to the initiative adding that the ministry would partner with relevant agencies and bodies in order to achieve the desired result.
Hajia Jamila Gatawa, the Deputy Director from the Ministry of Budget and Planing described the project a landmark achievement toward advancing women’s empowerment and urged relevant stakeholders to support the initiative.
In a separate speech,, a two times aspirant for Wurno/Raba Federal Constituency, Hajia Inno Attahiru, encouraged women not to be distracted with men dominance in political spaces.
Attahiru urged stakeholders to recognize women allocated spaces on governance and political spaces to ensure smooth growth and progress in the system.
A retired Permanently Secretary in Sokoto state civil service and politician at present, Hajia A’ishatu Hassan urged women to educate their husbands, parents and community members on the initiative which would broaden women chances.
The event witnessed contributions from Community Based Organisations (CBOs) leaders, representatives of state and federal electoral bodies, Police, NSCDC representatives and Women Journalists on ways, challenges and solutions to active women participation in political and decision making processes.