By Hassan Zaggi
A gender based and policy research expert, Mrs.Winifred Ologbo Agogo, has said that for the many challenges bedevilling women in Nigeria to be resolved, women must engage more in advocacy and constant engagement.
She made her position known when making a presentation at the side-line of the day two of the two-day maiden edition of Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI) Inspiring Women Summit, in Abuja..
The summit was put together by the wife of the former Imo state governor, Dr. Nneoma Rochas Okorocha.
While revealing some of the challenges choking the growth and development of women in Nigeria, Mrs Winifred said: “I did an analysis on the World Bank data on Nigeria, in terms of labour force participation, 65 percent of them, 52 per cent are women, for people in vulnerable employment- that is employment without social security for example no assurance of continuity, we have more women in vulnerable employment.
“In the national parliament seat, we have 3.6 per as women in political participation.
“The maternal mortality rate in Nigeria is still very high.
In terms of reporting violence, it will shock you to know that Nigeria has one of the worst reporting of violence. There is also uneven distribution of domestic responsibilities.”
She, therefore, advised women to engage in advocacy in order to the reduce to be barest minimum some of the challenges women in the country are facing.
Meanwhile, in a communique at the end of the Summit, poverty was identified as a major factor limiting the leadership role women have to take in their homes and communities.
The communique stressed that: “Cultural and religious impediments have also made it impossible for women to attain their potential
“Lack of adequate health facilities and healthcare have affected the full development of women potential.”
According to the communique: “Even though all the speakers noted these challenges, women in Nigeria have shown resilience, great emotional intelligence and multi-tasking skills to nurture their children through adulthood and to great leadership positions in the country.
“Everyone has identified that based on the above, women should believe in themselves because they have the skills and the ability to transform families and communities for greatness.”
On the way forward, the communique said: “For women to achieve all these, they need the support of their families and communities by providing the enabling environment from their homes to aspire and soar.
“The government and private sector are expected to support women by providing venture capital to finance their businesses with very low interest rates and moratorium period to pay back.
“Women should also be provided with a safety net for their healthcare needs through health insurance.
“They should also be provided with strategic soft skill training including the innovative practices in the use of technology and the modern world.
“Also, public education and community engagement should be priority for all leaders above all girl child education is a must.”
The WODDI Inspiring Women Summit was dedicated to empowering women and providing a platform for them to grow, learn and connect.
