Former Chilean President and United Nations Under-secretary, Madame Mitchelle Bashereti has appealed to the Nigerian political class to widen the political space to include women in order to enhance a more inclusive and participatory governance process in the country.
The erstwhile president of the South American nation who is also the third person in the hierarchy of the United Nations administrative organ stated that Vision 20:2020, and indeed the attainment of visions enunciated by any post-colonial state in Africa and Latin America, is only achievable if governments in these countries widen the political space to include the womenfolk.
The renowned leader, speaking during a courtesy visit to Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, described the Parliament as the real place to make inputs in order to advance the course of women and enhance their participation in politics and the governance process. She, therefore, canvassed for the support of the Nigerian Parliament to effect changes in the polity.
She equally submitted that the solution to the challenges of the present times, including insecurity and electoral violence prevalent in most countries in Africa and other continents, could only be found if women are more involved in the decision-making process.
In his speech before the UN women delegation comprising Nigerian Permanent Representative to United Nations, Professor Joy Ogwu and other distinguished personalities, Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal identified the Nigerian Parliament’s gender sensitivity as reason for electing a female speaker in the past and also presently selecting a number of women who are distinguished in various endeavours to head many House committees.
He, therefore, assured the delegation of the unflinching commitment of the House to championing the cause of participation of women in politics, in order to enhance their positions in the society.
