YOUNG PROGRESSIVE PARTY: WOMEN AND BEIJING DECLARATION

The noble place occupies by womenfolks in the society is inestimably indispensable. This specific place ranges from being a mother, wife and the host of others. The old adage of , 'behind every successful man; there's a supporting (supportive) woman', is playing out in most facets of our endeavors. We have seen great men having sterling performance in leadership sphere because they had(have) strong and dependable women behind them. For example, Winnie Mandela. The late Madiba's wife.

The FIFA world cup has come and gone but the world is still warmth by some titillating sparks from few participants. All the Russian cultural razzmatazz and technological razzle-dazzle galore had since been blown away at the end of the mundial. However, one special aspect of the round leather game was the resonating humility, youthful exuberance, agility and the show of love devoid of racial prejudices by the prettiest Croatian President, Kolinda Kitarovic.

Croatia lost gallantly to the ruthless Africans dominated and stars studded France's team. Though, her country may have lost the coveted trophy, but she emerged first by winning the hearts of many across the globe.

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As the 2019 general elections draws nigh, women likened to Kolinda and other bevy of ladies are assured of their rightful place in the scheme of things and not the likes of those that joined in plundering our patrimony. There is one in northern Cross River senatorial district that must not be returned to the red chamber. She is Sen. Rose Okoji Oko.

They were (are) some women that brought their husbands down. One of such is Grace Mugabe. She brought disgrace in lieu of grace. She saw her darling husband sinking the Rhodesian country into miry mess. She could not help. She helped her hubby in manipulating the electoral laws and oversaw a towering economy inflation. When some disgruntled elements rose and agitated for a change, she became ambitious. She wanted to lead the almost fallen nation before they were ejected by barracks' boys.

While it is good to give women considerable opportunities in position of authority, we must do it in view of the fact that it forms part of their inviolable and inalienable rights as citizens. Though of recent, a honourable member of the House of Representatives argued on the floor of the green chamber that it was wrong to give more powers to the women. Well, his opinion is not an issue anyway! Women's rights must be protected in accordance with the Beijing Declaration.

In September 1995, leaders of thought; human rights activists and feminists from all over the world converged in Beijing, China to discuss what they called a platform for action aimed at global commitment to achieve equality, development and peace for women worldwide. It was purely women's conference. Though, similar confab was held in Nairobi, Kenya in 1985.

In Nigeria today, women are complaining of marginalization. They demanded for 30 percent women representation in the penultimate Goodluck Jonathan-led government. In this dispensation, I really do not know much about their demands; and I can although authoritatively say they are fewer as compared to the last administration.

Since the roles of women in the political circle can not be overemphasized, one political party in the country that enshrined its plans and importance of women in her manifesto is the Young Progressive party, YPP.

According to the party, " women are an important group of Nigerians whose participation in national politics has been minimal due largely to cultural inhibition and barriers. The relevance of women, their numerical strength and their multiplier effects in the mass mobilization of the Nigerian people for the attainment of educational, health , and socioeconomic objectives are recognized by the party. Accordingly, the party government shall pursue policies enshrined in the Beijing Declaration".

How would they harness these objectives? Strategically, the party if elected in any level of governance shall, " ensure gender equality in employment and socioeconomic advancement, and promote greater women involvement and effective participation in politics;

"Embark on an aggressive crusade of greater political awareness and mass mobilization if Nigerian women for participation in a sustainable national development;

" Ensure adequate women representation in all the organs and institutions of the party and of its government through enhanced participation of women in electoral contests and through political appointments; and,
" Strengthen women societies to enable them become more effective in engineering the process of economic and political empowerment of Nigerian women".
Let's support equal opportunities for women.

Comr. Ogar, Emmanuel Oko
TheScribe.