Dinidari Africa, UN Women Praised For Strengthening Women’s Capacity In Political Participation And Empowerment

Across sections of participants

A former Councillor in Sabon Gari local government area, Honourable Aisha Muhammed Ahmed has described as apt, the training to build the capacity of women in political participation in Kaduna State.

She made the remarks at the ongoing 3-day needs-based technical support and capacity training to strengthen women in political parties to become political leaders organized by Dinidari Africa with support from UN Women.

“To be candid, Dinidari Africa in collaboration with UN Women really tried with the sensitization and series of workshops to build women’s capacity and I believe women in Kaduna State will more enlightened to take their places in the political arena in the state”.

Assessing women’s inclusion and participation in politics in Kaduna State, the former councilor expressed her appreciation for the level of women’s participation in governor Nasiru ElRufai’s administration.

“As for appointive positions we can say we are happy with the present governor Nasiru ElRufai who has done everything possible for women to partake in decision making both at the ward, zonal, and state levels”. But as par elective positions we have nothing to write home about and is grossly inadequate”.

On his part, the lead Facilitator at the training, Mr.Leslie Babangida Dong said at the end of the training, the participants are expected to come up with a work plan that would enable them to engage their leaders both at a party, state, and national levels.

“To be frank, we have a very enthusiastic participation here, the zeal is there, but there are some components that are lacking because only 3 out of fifty women indicate to have read their party’s constitutions at the training”.

The facilitator said during the sessions, “we have examined some of the issues that concern women in politics. We looked at Gender and gender mainstreaming, using the gender lens to look at Gender participation in politics especially as it concerns women”.

“We have been able to establish that gender roles are beginning to change over time and in various locations”, he explained.

Mr. Leslie added that the training has helped the women to understand that they need to push for certain reforms at their political party level, through advocacy to ask for their quoter in terms of elective and appointments into various offices.