Inclusion of Women in Politics and Governance, key to development- Oby Ezekwesili

By Rahila Dauda

Nigeria’s former minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili has restated the need to ensure a wholesome participation of women in politics and governance as it is key to the development of the nation and other sectors.

Speaking as the keynote speaker at the just concluded inaugural conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF), Ezekwesili who was also a former Vice president at the World Bank Africa Division also advocated for a policy that will ensure women especially in the legal are adequately represented and carried along in decision making, she also called on the men folk to take the advocacy for women inclusion fully and not just leave it to the women.

In his own address, the NBA President Mr Olumide Akpata congratulated the NBAWF for this giant stride and reassured of his commitment to ensuring gender equality in the NBA.

The inaugural virtual conference of the NBAWF was held in commemoration of the International Women’s Day 2021.

The event with its theme: “Pathway to Diversity: Challenging Blindspots and Powering up for inclusion” disclosed that the NBAWF will lead the charge for gender equality in leadership, board participation and governance.

It will also work towards gender diversity in the legal profession and achieving gender balance, the empowerment of young female lawyers for exploits as well as challenges the stereotypes in the legal profession which has over the past kept women in the background and not at the fore front.

In her welcome address the chairperson of the NBAWF Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose SAN, charged participants to ensure gender equality in their diverse areas of practice. She also reiterated the commitment of the NBAWF to lead the cause for a gender parity society.

Chinyere Okorocha, Chairperson of the Conference Planning Committee encouraged all to stand for gender equality as there is a great need to close the gap of inequality in the profession.

The extremely string conference further spurred participants to ensure gender equality in the profession.

The slogan “choose to challenge”, which is theme for the International Women’s Day 2021 was adequately discussed in the course of the conference and a free training for young female lawyers was held the next day in conjunction with the New York State Bar Women in Law.