In a positive move cementing efforts to promote
gender equality and women’s participation in leadership, Women in Successful
Careers (WISCAR), a leading not-for-profit and non-governmental organization
recently held a special fundraiser to support credible female candidates
running in the 2023 elections.
The fundraiser was held in collaboration with
renowned author and women’s rights advocate, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Amina Oyagbola, Founder and Chairperson of
WISCAR, emphasized the importance of the fundraiser in motivating action toward
women’s inclusion in governance. She said, “In line with our mission of
developing women to build a better nation, we understand the necessity of
galvanizing action to accelerate women’s inclusion in governance and ensuring
active female participation in all spheres of our nation.
In the 2019 elections, we were disappointed by the decline of female
representation in all strata of governance. As 2023 is a critical election
year, we have taken this step to galvanize support and raise funds to boost the
campaigns of credible female candidates across party lines running for various
offices for the good of the nation.
We are non-partisan and non-political and are therefore not concerning
ourselves with political parties. Our focus is on the viability of the
candidates and equitable female representation. We must all agree that the
solutions to our national questions lie in the hands of all of us. Our shared
prosperity, the development and growth of our economy, and the welfare and
progress of our people must be established and secured by all Nigerians. That
is why the democratic ideal of all-inclusive governance must be promoted and
given great importance.” She concluded.
The concept of the fundraiser was birthed at the recently
concluded 2022 WISCAR Annual Leadership and Mentoring Conference in which Ms.
Chimamanda Adichie gave the keynote speech as the Distinguished WISCAR Awardee.
During the event themed “For the Nation, The Power of Inclusion”, she had the
opportunity to discuss with female candidates and other members of the
community on the urgent need to enable women’s political participation and
accelerate women’s inclusion in governance.
Commenting on the fundraiser and its contribution to the
development and growth of Nigeria, Chimamanda Adichie revealed, “The case for women candidates and political representation is not
about women being better, but that women are full citizens. If we want a better
democracy, we should also want better representation, as you cannot have half
of the population severely underrepresented in governance. Role models are
important because when we see what is possible, then we are more likely to
think that it is doable.
“I
believe in Nigeria so I am very happy to see that there are women who also
believe and are working to make our nation better but this cannot be achieved
without men. The advocacy for the inclusion of women cannot be actualized
without the collaboration and participation of men. We all have an opportunity
today and during the upcoming election to make a difference that counts.”
Some of the female candidates present at the fundraiser event
include Hawwah Gambo, House of Representative candidate; Ireti Kingibe,
Senatorial candidate; Adeola Azeez, House of
Representatives candidate; Simi Olusola, State House of
Assembly candidate; and Joyce Daniels, Local
Government candidate. The organizers also recognized a Governorship candidate, Dr. Aishatu
Binani, and a senatorial candidate, Dr. Idiat Adebule,
in absentia.
WISCAR continues to call for donations to raise funds to support
women and invites the larger Nigerian community to consider contributing to the
cause via its website. An increase in women’s participation in governance will
result in tangible gains for democracy, including greater responsiveness to
citizens’ needs and welfare, increased cooperation across party and ethnic
lines, and a more sustainable future for all.
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