Regent Oluyemi Bajowa advocates more roles for women in politics

– Steve Ovirih.

The Regent of Ayeka Kingdom, Princess Barrister Oluyemi Bajowa has called on government to consider more prominent roles for the feminine gender in Nigerian politics beyond pigeonholing them into ‘the cheer women ‘ category. The first female Regent in the history of Ikale Land noted that women are not less human and should not be considered as less relevant political actors.

Regent Bajowa made this known in her keynote address at the Ondo State Women in Politics forum held at the Okitipupa Local Government Council Secretariat. The event which was organized by the women wing of Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) had in attendance women leaders across Ondo State and they were hosted by the Council Chairman, Omoba Abayomi Adesanya.

While delivering her address as a Special Guest, Regent Oluyemi Bajowa said the gathering was timely because Ondo State is going into another round of Governorship election, noting that while our menfolk are using their efforts to canvass for women support, the time is appropriate to use this women platform to make our men realise that we are not only good as agents of vote canvassing as we are also gifted with the wherewithal to formulate and execute progressive Government policies.

“Women participation in Politics as this group seeks to mobilise is most needful now more than ever before. Women have suffered discriminations and deprivations so much in our political space .

” We have been relegated to the far background even in the face of our subscriptions and ratification of the globally acclaimed 35% affirmative action in favour of women , which is globally reckoned with and is also enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the Regent of Ayeka said.

She maintained that the percentage of women participation in Politics is as pathetic as it is disappointing. “Between 1999 and 2015, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), we were only allowed to contribute 5.8% of the representatives and office holders in all the political appointments and offices Nationwide. Of course, this cannot in anyway be seen as complying with the 35% affirmative action in Nigeria,” Bajowa noted.

Regent Bajowa asserted that as far as political administration is concerned, women are better than men when it comes to being compassionate and sympathetic. She eaqualy maintained that female political office holders do a better job of serving as role models who maintain a tone of civility and make sure the wheel of progress in the society runs without hitches.

She therefore charged the male dominated political class to always bear in mind that there is need for them to cede prominent decision making roles to the women folk.