Source: This Day
The former Vice President for Africa, World Bank, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, has called on governments in Nigeria and other African countries to make more provision for women to occupy political positions. According to her, having more women in power would reduce corruption and increase accountability.
Ezekwesili made this call at the vital voices global partnership and women in management, business and public service (WIMBIZ) conference recently in Lagos
Stressing that women were important for development, she said: "Women should be involved in policy participation and decision making in government. We should ensure that women are economically empowered to follow issues of public policy and given the space to participate and engage as responsible citizen's governance at the local, state and national level. When you look at countries like South Africa, Rwanda and what they have done in terms of women empowerment is commendable."
"Africa's women are the countries secret weapon for the countries greatness and empowerment of women is smart economics" she added.
Remarking, President/, CEO of Vital Voices, Alyse Nelson, said: "Vital Voices recognises that women are powerful engines of economic growth and social change. Through SPARC, Vital Voices and partner businesswomen's associations are working together to enable women to fully participate in their economies."
Chairperson, WIMBIZ, Adeola Azeez, noted: "The SPARC programme through WIMBIZ is using advocacy tools to sensitise the general public and seeks possible legislative change to deal with on the issue women representation on the socio-economic decision making processes in Nigeria. WIMBIZ will partner with other advocacy groups, media and consultants who would support the expansion of socio-political and economic space for women in Nigeria."
Vital Voices Global Partnership is a leading non-governmental organisation that identifies, invests in and brings visibility to extraordinary women around the world by unleashing their leadership potential to transform lives and accelerate peace and prosperity in their communities. Founded by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 1997, the organisation trains and mentors women leaders as agents of transformative change in economic development, human rights and political participation. The Vital Voices Global Leadership Network includes more than 14,000 leaders representing 144 countries that have trained and mentored 500,000 additional women and girls in their communities.
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