By Zakari Haruna
Women have been encouraged to take a more active role in politics and governance as stakeholders called for stronger advocacy, leadership development and increased participation in decision-making processes to bridge Nigeria's gender governance gap.
The call was made during a capacity-building workshop on advancing women's political inclusion, where participants from different communities were equipped with advocacy skills and strategies for engaging policymakers.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director Basileia Vulnerable Persons Rights Initiative (BVPRI), Barrister Jennifer Abadji, said the workshop was designed to empower participants with knowledge of their rights, responsibilities and advocacy skills needed to promote women's political participation.
She explained that participants were drawn from different parts of the state and would be expected to develop practical action plans after the training to champion women's inclusion within their respective communities and areas of influence.
According to her, the gathering brought together experienced politicians, young leaders and emerging advocates whose interactions provided valuable learning opportunities.
Barrister Abadji described the discussions as rich and impactful, noting that participants openly shared their experiences, challenges and aspirations, which would help shape future advocacy efforts.
She stressed that women's political participation is a fundamental human right and not a privilege, adding that democracy can only thrive when both men and women are adequately represented in governance.
Also speaking, Mr. Yusuf Goje of Civic Impact for Sustainable Development reminded participants that the greatest political authority in Nigeria rests with the citizens, who delegate power to elected leaders through democratic processes.
He said while encouraging women to seek political office is important, greater emphasis should also be placed on preparing them for governance through leadership development, civic education and active participation in decision-making.
Goje further urged citizens to pay closer attention to public budgets, describing the budget as one of the most important instruments for translating government policies into tangible benefits for the people.
He noted that understanding and monitoring budget implementation enables citizens to hold government accountable and advocate effectively for issues affecting their communities.
One of the participants and President of the Students' Union Government of Kaduna State University, Sumayya, described the workshop as timely, saying it renewed her commitment to promoting women's participation in politics.
She said the programme brought together inspiring individuals who have made meaningful contributions to society and created an opportunity for participants to learn from their experiences.
According to her, the training strengthened her resolve to continue advocating civic responsibility and women's inclusion, particularly within her university community and beyond.
She expressed optimism that the growing network of advocates and mentors would encourage more women to pursue leadership positions and contribute meaningfully to governance.