The Wife of the Nigerian President, Aisha Buhari has called on women of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to adopt new strategies to ensure more women participation in decision making processes.
Mrs Buhari was speaking when she received the Vice-President of Liberia, Dr Jewel Howard-Taylor, who was in Nigeria to participate in the two-day maiden edition of APC National Progressive Women Conference billed to hold on Jan.18 in Abuja.
The theme of the Conference is: “One Voice: Women Uniting for Progress.”
The First Lady said there was need for stakeholders to support the efforts of the Nigerian women towards realising their demand for increased participation in politics.
She said; “We need to adopt better strategies to maximise our chances of having a reasonable numbers of elective positions and other opportunities for our women folk.
“We also need to support each other as women to better our chances.”
Mrs Buhari also expressed optimism that the conference would provide platform where stakeholders would discuss and share ideas to chat a new course for greater women empowerment and participation in decision making of the governing party.
She said; “Women need to be encourage to participate more in politics and the country needs our participation.
“It is, therefore, necessary to look forward on how best we can work together to unite women in the forthcoming campaigns ahead of 2023 elections.”
Mrs Buhari, who thanked the visiting vice-president, said the visit would boost the morale of APC women ahead of their conference.
“I am convinced, that your record as a former Liberian First Lady, a professional in politics will no doubt add value to the event,’’ she said.
For her part, Howard-Taylor, harped on the need for women to be at the decision making organs in the society, to push for more resource allocations to women empowerment, maternal and child health.
Howard-Taylor, however, advised Mrs Buhari to use her position as President of African First Ladies Peace Mission to sensitise and mobilise women across the region towards achieving a greater women inclusion in politics.
Young progressive women academy
A member of APC Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Stella Okotete said the party had created young progressive women academy with the aim of empowering 20 million women across the country.
The conference billed for Jan. 18, is to deliberate on several issues including gender inclusiveness in politics and greater role for women in governance.
It is expected to feature over 1,000 women from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
The participants will brainstorm on ways to strengthen women political rights, address barriers to women participation in the political process under democratic systems and evolve strategies for getting them fully involved.
VON