Consider welfare in voting – Maina urges women

ABUJA (Women Affairs Ministry Report) –  The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zainab Maina has charged women across the country to vote candidates that will promote their welfare and touch their lives positively.

Zainab Maina stated this in Abuja while speaking at the National Training Workshop on ‘Voter Education for Women,’ organised by her Ministry in partnership with the UNDP-managed Democratic Governance for Development (DGD). She stressed the need for women to participate effectively in the forthcoming elections by first getting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and urged them to vote wisely.

According to her, the present administration had in the last four years changed the fortune of women in the country and would do more, if allowed. The Minister added that the two-day workshop with the theme: ‘Making Women’s Votes Count,’ was aimed at providing a final push in support of women’s candidature and educating the female voting population on the appropriate voting procedures during the elections.

“It is to help us focus on facilitating women’s active and effective participation in the electoral process,” Maina said. She lamented that lack of women’s participation in decision making in Nigeria is inimical to democratic progress as it ultimately denies them mass participation in governance. She also advised women to use their votes wisely and shield their children from unsavoury political consequences of thuggery and drug abuse. 

“I know the pains of losing a child, especially a grown-up child; so I urge you not to allow politicians use your children for political gains. We women should stand out, expose anyone who is trying to cause confusion. I am appealing to us women to take charge and make sure that there is peace in this country. We should expose anyone that is trying to use your children to cause confusion. We should also pray for Nigeria and pray for a peaceful conduct of 2015 elections,” the Minister averred.

“Women should make sure they obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and then when they obtain it, on the day of election, should vote and make sure that they vote wisely.”

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega (Prof) said that the commission has put in place the INEC Gender Policy Reform to help bridge the gap which prevents women from achieving full participation in electoral processes.

Represented by the INEC Commissioner, Dame Gladys Nnewanfo, he reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring free, fair, credible and peaceful general elections. He further urged all Nigerians, especially women and first-time voters to ensure that they collect their PVCs as  prerequisite for voting.