By Auwal Mohammad
Gombe (Nigeria) — A Non Governmental Organisation in northeast Nigeria, Wildan Care Foundation, is seeking support of media to make case for more women in elective positions in Gombe State in the coming 2019 general election.
Executive Director of the group, Zariyatu Abubakar made the call Wednesday when officials of the organisation paid an advocacy visit to the secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists (Correspondents’ Chapel) in Gombe.
She said, Wildan Care Foundation was on a sensitization visit to stakeholders across the state such as the media, political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) among others.
The Foundation decried the outcome of recently conducted local council election in the state where no single woman was elected, either councillor, or chairperson across the 11 local council areas.
“We want women to be part of decision making in both the formal and informal sector of the society,” she said.
She said the group apart from seeking improved participation by women in election matters, is also concerned on issues of women and children particularly those in conflict situations.
Commenting further, Jamila Suleiman, State Coordinator, Women Situation Room Nigeria, solicits men’s cooperation to allow women participate actively in election.
She recalled how during the 2015 general election, at a polling unit (in Kyari Primary School in Kwame local government area) with over 400 registered voters, no single woman came out to cast vote.
“I was monitoring the election in Kwame and I was shocked to see that no single woman came out to cast her vote in a particular polling unit. I sought to know from the women after noticing that they were actually registered as voters. They said their husbands prevented from going out to vote,” she narrated.
Mrs. Zariyatu who is also the Northeast coordinator, Women Situation Room Nigeria said Wildan Care Foundation is also working to provide care, support children and empower women.
She said the group is collaborating with the Women Situation Room Nigeria to harness the leadership resources of women for effective participation and contribution in peace building process, economic and human development.
Responding, Chairman of the Correspondent Chapel, Abdullahi Tukur of Federal Radio Cooperation of Nigeria, assured them that media would support their mission.
