NGO Urges Women To Participate In Electoral Processes

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Laudable Support for Women, Youth and Community Development Initiative, on Thursday urged women to actively participate in the country’s electoral process.

Mrs Bolanle Dosunmu, the President of the initiative, made the appeal in Lagos.

Speaking at a workshop organised by the NGO on electoral processes for market women, held at Oyingbo Market, in Lagos and was entitled “Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria: Make it Happen”.

Dosunmu said that the election period was an opportunity to involve women in governance for the development of the society and a better standard of living.

She said that the essence of the sensitisation was to ensure inclusive participation of Nigerians.

According to her, the programme is intended to promote active participation of women and lend support to the attainment of credible, peaceful and violence-free elections.

“As we countdown to the 2015 general elections, it is imperative that our women are enlightened on their rights as voters and the need for them to perform their civic responsibility on the day of election.

“Women should indicate interest in participating in politics, be confident and do away with the fear of risks.

“Men should be enlightened to allow their wives to contest and women themselves should be enlightened that politics is not dirty as they think,“she said.

Dosunmu called on women and girls to help in consolidating the nation’s democracy by coming out en masse to cast their votes.

“We need to remind women of the importance of this election and the need for them to participate fully.

“They should ensure that they collect their PVCs (Permanent Voter Cards) and at the same time, know how to cast their votes correctly,“ she said.

Mr Yesirat Alagbo, who spoke on behalf of market women, urged politicians to fulfill their electoral promises.

Alagbo urged them to ensure that women were given equal treatment in the nation’s polity.