African nations have been enjoined to give women a chance in the governance of the continent.
The charge was made at a Special Dialogue to address the consolidation on independence and uninterrupted democratic transition in Africa, women in top leadership positions and political independence and economic development organised by the Tanzania high commission in Abuja, Nigeria, as part of a five day event leading up to the 60th Independence Anniversary of Tanzania.
The Convener and CEO, Women Arise Development and Humanitarian Initiative, Mrs. Esther Mshelia, a discussant at a Special Dialogue said that women make up 50% of the human development of African countries, excluding them will only underdevelop the society.
She said “so, by excluding them what we are saying is before we start our development planning we have actually locked out half of the resources that God has endowed the nation with.”
Similarly, Barrister Habibat Pat Eluame representing the Chairman Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri Erewa, called for support for the national policy to implement the 35% National Gender Policy in Nigeria.
Also, the Ambassador of Namibia, Ambassador Humphrey Geiseb also a discussant, added that policies such as the Zebra Policy implemented in Namibia allows for equal gender representation in governance.
He said “In Namibia, our party is not a party of men but we have adopted a Zebra Policy, where you will have equal number of women and men in positions of leadership. Just like the Zebra, you have black and white. So the thing is that in leadership, we should also have women and men.”
Meanwhile, Mrs. Mshelia called for implementable mechanisms that enforce equal representation and sanctions on those who fault these mechanisms.
Africa’s Development
On the issue of Africa’s development, the Director-General Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Okechukwu called for inclusiveness and tolerance for the development of the continent.
Mr. Okechukwu said the inclusivity and unity that Tanzania exhibits in its 60 years of independence could be likened to the foremost Pan-Africanist Julius Nyerere whose humanitarian belief in social justice states that all Africans are the same.
He said that for Africa to develop rapidly, nations of the continent need to work collectively.
Also, the Senior Special Assistant to Nigeria’s President on Public Matters and Secretary Nigerian National Compassion Committee AfCFTA, Mr. Francis Anatogu called for the continued agitation on the implementation of policies to promote development in Africa.
The High Commissioner of Rwanda to Nigeria, Ambassador Stanislas Kamanzi said politics and aspirations without development is a failure. Therefore, any policy that doesn’t address poverty cannot work.
Mrs. Mshelia noted that the different tariffs and regulations that are unstable have delayed Africa’s trade and economic development and called for less rigor and regulations to allow for intra-Africa trade.
Lateefah Ibrahim
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