In a significant move toward advancing gender equality, key government figures in Nigeria have pledged their commitment to implementing comprehensive policies to enhance the inclusion of the girl child across various sectors.
This commitment was made at the 6th edition of The Osasu Show(TOS) symposium with the theme “Girls Today Leaders Tomorrow: advancing women representation through policy, held at the national assembly library, Abuja, involving notable leaders, including Vice President, Kashim Shettima; Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Sa’adu Abubakar; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu among other dignitaries.
The leaders emphasised the urgent need to foster environments where girls can thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of the socio-economic challenges they may face.
They acknowledged that addressing issues such as education, healthcare, and economic empowerment for girls is crucial for the holistic development of the nation.
One of the focal points of their conversations was the proposal to prioritise the allocation of reserved seats for women in both national and state assemblies. This move aims to ensure that women’s voices are adequately represented in the decision-making processes that shape the future of the country.
Speaking at the event, the vice president, represented by his technical adviser on women, youth engagement, and impact, Hauwa Liman, emphasised the administration’s recognition of the vital role women play in nation-building stressing the importance of increased female representation in parliament as a crucial step towards fostering a stronger nation.
The Sultan reflected on the rich history of women’s involvement in politics and education in pre-colonial Nigeria, urging a return to these values amid current challenges.
He encouraged Nigerians to embrace their history and culture as a source of strength and reiterated his support for initiatives that positively impact women.
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The sultan called for a united effort towards enhancing girl child education and promoting a positive narrative about Nigeria, emphasising the blessings and potential of the nation.
“Together, we can strive toward our goals through the National Assembly. Let’s focus on the education of our girls at the highest level and support one another from the president to local leaders and all citizens,” he concluded.
Kalu highlighted important statistics from UNICEF stating that approximately 189 million girls are householders, emphasising that the girl child embodies possibility rather than mere vulnerability.
The convener of the TOS Symposium, Osasu Igbinedion Ogwuche, articulated the pressing need to bridge the gap between elected officials and their constituents while amplifying the voices of vulnerable populations.
She highlighted the concerning underrepresentation of women in parliament, where Nigeria ranks 184th worldwide and last in Africa.
Osasu said: “We are here to advocate for the proposal to reserve seats for women in parliament. This initiative is about closing the democracy gap, ensuring justice and representation, and unlocking the nation’s full potential by bringing women into decision-making roles. When women are at the table, nations benefit, and when girls are empowered, societies thrive,” she remarked.
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