Hajiya Buhari wants More Chances for Women in Government
Opeyemi Oladunjoye
The First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, has called for better representation of women in appointments at all levels of governments in the federation.
While hosting Nigerian women and youths to an appreciation dinner for their roles and support in her husband’s victory in the last general election, Mrs Buhari expressed concern about the low number of elected women especially in the National and State Assemblies.
She said: “This is not fair; we are not asking for equal representation but fair representation in governance. We must all make case for the fair representation of women and other challenges facing them especially the high rate of divorcees in the North and harmful widowhood practices in some part of the South East.
She also spoke about delicate issues that affect women such as sexual harassment, calling for the speedy implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.
Addressing the reason she kept a low profile during the last Presidential campaigns, she revealed it was her personal decision not to come out for campaign because she needed to take care of the home front while her husband was in the field campaigning.
“It was Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who talked me into it before I decided to join the train.” She said,” I have never been in purdah since I got married to my husband. My husband is a very gender sensitive man with many daughters. He even allowed me to go to school and to cut the long matter short, he is the pillar of my success.”
Also speaking, the wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, thanked the women for their support and urged them to continue to promote national unity.
“Nigerians are people with strong faith; we as women must wake up and defend its unity. It is time for us to stop fragmenting this country; Nigeria needs something new. A new Nigeria means a new You.”
