Women’s participation in Politics key to Good Governance – Sokoto Commissioner

The Sokoto State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Dr Kulu Haruna, has urged government at all levels to pave way for women to contribute their quota in governance and politics for sustainable development.

Dr Haruna made the call while speaking to Journalists in her office after the recently concluded Public Hearing on 1999 Constitutional Review organised by National Assembly in Sokoto State.

She explained that women are valuable tools that take effective decision making in various entity especially in the area of good governance and administration.

She added that women constituted about 50% percent of population in the country.

The large population of women in the country ensures that there’s need for Government to give women some portion of power to contribute immensely to the development of the country.

“women have  wisdom and a wealth of experience if utilized so many challenges can be resolved in an effective manner,” the Commissioner said.

Dr Haruna further said that there was affirmative action which was agreed to allocate 35% to women, but still women are not giving opportunity.

“women need to be allowed to vote and to be voted for especially during general elections in the country,” she added.

She urged National Assembly to review the Constitution accordingly in such a way that some national representation will be permanent to women at all sectors of the economy in the country.

‘’ In Nigeria we have 109 senators and 360 House of Representatives members, including State House of Assembly among these i suggest National Assembly should allocate 35% of these seats to women permanently while reviewing the document,” she explained.

The Commissioner commended Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal administration for giving more women opportunities.

She said women constituted about 40% of his administration both at the state and local government level.

” in Sokoto we have 3 women as Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Director Generals, Board members and Directors, but still more need to be done to carry women along and contribute our quoter to the development of society,” Dr Haruna stated.

The Commissioner use the opportunity and urged women all over the country to come out en mass to look for various representation which will help to eliminate various challenges among women and children especially in the area of discrimination, Rape, Early marriage and child abuse among others.

Ime N