The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Kogi State chapter has called for more visibility for women occupying political offices in Kogi State.
The chairperson of the association, Ann Olurinde, made the call at the congress held at the NUJ center in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, where members converged to chat the way forward in issues that involve women in the decision-making process of any democratic setting.
According to Olurinde, the call became necessary as there was a need to address some women being subservient in their political offices. This trend is becoming worrisome, adding that in most cases, these women have a lot to bring to the table, but when they are not allowed, carried along, or given the platforms, such women keep silent with golden ideas inside of them.
Therefore, she urged members to support women holding positions in political offices in Kogi State. In their various contributions, members of the association said there is a need for more women to be given more platforms, especially in environments dominated by male folks. Members concluded that more conversations around supporting women and giving them a voice should come up frequently while appealing to authorities to support women with the required resources to forge ahead.
High points of the meeting were; indiscriminate disposal of waste by residents of Kogi State, an issue which needs to be addressed, increasing numbers of beggars on the streets of Lokoja town, and the mentally derailed persons who roam about the streets harassing passers-by. As regards the issues stated above, members agreed to meet with the commissioner for Women’s Affairs and social development for proper and timely intervention and other relevant authorities.
The association is also preparing to hold a sensitization campaign against indecent dressing, targeting selected higher institutions in Kogi State as part of its outlined activities. Recall that the association has carried out a series of sensitisations in various Secondary Schools to commemorate national and international events discouraging drug abuse and internet fraud while encouraging entrepreneurship.
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