Zonal Resource Centre for Women in Politics Launched by Ministry of Women Affairs and UN Women

Emmanuel Alfred

The Ministry of Women Affairs, in collaboration with United Nations (UN) Women have launched the Zonal Resource Centre for Women in Politics.

The inaugural ceremony which is a significant milestone for women empowerment and political inclusion, took place at the premises of the Ministry of Women Affairs in Cross River State and witnessed by esteemed dignitaries and representatives from various organizations.

Delivering an address, at the event, the First Lady of Cross River State, Rev. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, who was graciously represented by her Special Assistant, Religious Affairs, Evang. Odo Bassey highlighted the importance of empowering women in political and leadership roles.

She also underscored the importance of men supporting the effective, efficient, and equitable participation of women in governance.

She then called on the government at all levels to ensure they prioritised the 5C’s for women, which includes; Confidence; which bothers on setting up trainings and mentorship programs to build their confidence, Candidate selection; which involves establishing quota or zipping system to ensure gender balanced lists, Culture; which harpes on establishing a zero tolerance to sexism, Cash; highlights the provision of earmarked funding for women candidates until equal representation is reached, and Childcare; which underscores the importance of changing the “long hours” culture in politics and providing childcare facilities.

The Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), Hon. Dr Asabe Vilita Bashir, whose presence added further significance to the event joined Evang. Odo Bassey in launching the centre.

According to her, the centre will serve as a hub for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and networking opportunities for women interested in pursuing political careers, indicating that the centre is the second established in the country, the first being the Maryam Babangida Women Development Centre.
She also mentioned that the choice of Cross River State for sighting of the centre was primarily because of the hospitality of Cross Riverians and the active participation of Cross River women in politics. Adding that the NCWD plays a pivotal role in advancing women’s development and welfare in Nigeria, making their involvement crucial in this initiative.

UN Women has been at the forefront of global efforts to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, and their collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs signifies the shared commitment towards advancing women’s participation in politics.

The Deputy Country Representative of UN Women Nigeria, Lansana Wonneh, a key partner in this endeavour, who also graced the occasion, lauded the Ministry of Women Affairs for the modest initiative, urging them to promote generational equality as they promote gender equality.

The launch event witnessed enthusiastic participation from women leaders, civil society organizations, and members of the public who are passionate about promoting gender equality in politics. It provided a platform for meaningful discussions on the challenges faced by women in politics and strategies to overcome them.

The launch of the Zonal Resource Centre for Women in Politics which marks a significant step forward in promoting gender equality and women’s active participation in politics .