Abuja: Leadership experts, women’s rights advocates, and other stakeholders have called for gender-inclusive governance across Africa, emphasizing the importance of equal representation and opportunities for all genders in leadership roles. They made the call at a town hall meeting organized by Women Community in Africa (WCA), a coalition of civil society groups that advocates for an egalitarian society and addresses social issues.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event brought women together to brainstorm on advocacy and actions towards empowering women for leadership roles in all walks of life. The event, with the theme ‘Empowered to Lead: Changing Attitudes Towards Female Leadership’, is a build-up to the 2025 WCA summit scheduled to be held in Rwanda later in the year.
Stakeholders emphasized the need to address leadership challenges women face through actionable solutions for the African continent to experience even development. Mr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, highlighted that some African countries have recorded significant milestones in electing female Presidents and Prime Ministers, yet more needs to be done for gender-inclusive leadership to reflect at all levels.
Dr. Bukola Olatunde, Deputy President of the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), pointed out that the marginalization of women in leadership roles across the continent is largely caused by age-old traditions and cultural practices. She urged that this trend could be curbed at the family level by treating children equally, irrespective of their genders.
Chizoba Ogbeche, Vice President (North Central), Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), encouraged women to unite and form a common front to assume elective leadership roles, starting from the grassroots at the ward level.
Dr. Adetoun Dally, Global President of WCA, stressed the urgency of influencing patriarchal attitudes towards leadership in society. She noted that countries like Namibia, Ghana, and Rwanda have made significant strides in welcoming women in political leadership, serving as examples to the rest of Africa.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Khadijah Abdullahi-Iya, Founder of WCA, emphasized the organization’s mission to challenge barriers and legislate appropriate laws to inspire and empower children and women in Africa.
The event also featured goodwill messages from members of the Diplomatic community, including representatives from Rwanda, Pakistan, and Belgium embassies in Nigeria. A debate by Secondary School students on whether ‘Women Quota Should Be Made Compulsory in African Politics or Not’ was the highpoint of the event.