Barr. Agatha Osieke is the Executive Director of an NGO; Women, Youths and Children Advancement Program. She is also the coordinator of Edo Partners 4 Peace in the Niger Delta and also Edo chairperson, Non-Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services, NOGALSS. In this exclusive interview with Trend Reporters, the NGO practitioner emphasizes on the need to promote women involvement in politics.
Excerpt:
The issue of women in politics is not new in Nigeria, but many people are not in support of the fact that women should be involved in politics. How do you react to this position that women should not be involved in politics?
Thank you very much. I wondered why people are saying women should not be involved in politics.
First of all let’s look at the meaning of democracy. And if you are looking at democracy as government by the people and for the people; who are these people and how do you define these people?
In that context “people”, women are also in that people. So, if women should be part of democracy they should be part of politics and play politics the way it should be played.
One of the reasons given by those who are not in support of women in politics is that women in politics are usually loose or put differently, some men would not allow their wives to be involved in politics because they have that notion that if a woman go into politics, she would be sexually molested by male politicians. What is your take on this; do you share this thought or opinion?
I disagree with that, if you say women who are in politics are usually loose or people’s opinion is about that, I would say no.
What is somebody being in politics? If a man call a woman to travel with him for a political meeting, would you classify that woman as a politician? Or a woman that attends meeting probably the meetings holds in her ward and she goes there without making any meaningful contribution, would you say that woman is in politics?. And if a woman is coarse into being a party member, would you call that woman being a politician?
When we talk about women involvement in politics we are talking about women that plays politics the way it should be. You are a card carrying member of a particular political party; you attend the party’s meetings, you pay your dues and you ensure your voice is heard in every meeting by making your own contribution; and ensure that democracy come to play. Once as a woman you are able to do that you now begin to have a dream about liberating your people; ensuring that definition of democracy comes to play through you as a woman.
So, saying that women should not be part of the system, I disagreed, because there are so many advantages.
We are saying if women are allowed to come into the political scenario, especially being in the executive position where she can make things happen through legislation or through her executive position, you would begin to see changes in our society.
Democracy is all about inclusiveness and when you are saying a particular set or group should not be part of it then you are being bias.
When we are talking about women playing politics, we are also looking at our youths. Everybody should be given that leverage to play what politics is, not attaching any negative name to any of the group.
When a woman understands the needs of her family, you can imagine when such a woman is put in the forefront to take care of a state for example or the nation.
She understands the needs of these people and being there ensures security for women, security for youth, security for children; because she understands what it takes. They born these human beings, they have the motherly feelings about the society. So, I believe their role in politics would go a long way to bring about peace in the society; to bring about good condition in the society, so they have a very key role to play in democracy.
What do you think can be done to enhance women participation in politics?
First of all creating awareness; this has been going on for years.
Making the women understand themselves that they have key roles to play in politics. When you build their capacity, they would position themselves. Then, other people would come in and support; to ensure that they are part of the system.
Creating awareness, empowering them in all ramifications, funding their ambitions, opening entrepreneurial ways to ensure that financially they are sound because you cannot play sound politics without finance.
You cannot play sound politics without knowledge. Because most of the women that even go into politics, they don’t understand the nitty-gritty of politics. So, they need to be schooled by those that know what politics is all about.
Okay, what lessons do you want women to learn from the emergence of Kamala Harris as US Vice-President and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General of World Trade Organization?
I read about both of them and I discovered that they have been consistent. For example, our own Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, she has been very consistent with the system. But before she got into the system, remember she first of all built her capacity. Education is key!. Knowledge is key!. Pursuing your goal in life is also key!. And they never allow name calling to deter them from pursuing their goals. So, that is one thing I would encourage our women to do. If you want to go into politics, be consistent, have the educational knowledge and be ready to continue building your capacity and be ready to align with current issues.
