Gender And Development Action

Godmothers to the Rescue

Godfatherism. This is one word that opens narrow doors when it comes to deciding who gets what in the political scene. They make or mar potential candidates all over the country. In fact, the concept of godfatherism is firmly establishing itself as a guiding principle in contemporary Nigerian politics. Recently, the women also decided that it was time for the godmothers to play their roles. Venue was a reflective road map workshop, which had influential women in attendance. The godmothers came prepared and they talked about the potentialities of women in the 2007 election and how to change the status quo. So, who are the godmothers, you ask? They are women who can influence those who get nominated, contest and win elections in their areas. Other participants were drawn from community-based organizations, women leaders, market leaders, aspirants from the South West zone. “The idea was to review women’s performance in the 2003 elections and develop strategies for the way forward”, informs Alhaja Obadina, a godmother and a strong political voice in the Lagos area. One of the outcomes of our meeting is that before we can support any man, he must promise to give women positions in his cabinets. Our target is 30 percent. Even though the men are coercive in getting their dividends, we would have a different approach” Obadina informs. Participants were able to agree that the godmothers were not playing their roles well “The women talked about the challenges in the political scene and the godmothers in attendance promised to change and play their roles very well” informs Alhaja Agoro one of the godmothers in attendance. Agoro adds “We have been grooming women who are interested in politics in rural areas like Makoko in Lagos state. We have contributed in different ways and one of this includes printing posters for them and helping them to design their campaign strategy. Their impact is being felt at the local level and they have been helping with community activities like environmental sanitation”. Even though some critics argued that godfathers have abused their roles in certain cases, the women argued that there is no cause for alarm. “Instead of making use of the bad sides of this political tool, we have decided to tap from its advantages “informs Ada Agina-Ude of GADA. Ude explained that a number of things are being put in place to ensure that women’s participation is smooth and successful. “There is project that will give gender awareness training to political leaders and other stakeholders in the six states before the elections. Also in the package is the conduct of policy, legislative and social advocacy towards the adoption of institutional policies and practices that will promote and sustain” The European Commission is also supporting women who are participating in the 2007 general elections. “The project covers the six South-Western states of Nigeria, which are Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Ekiti. This is being financed under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) micro project facility”, Ude says. At the end of the project, it is expected that between 300 to 600 women politicians in the targeted states seek elective offices at the state and local levels as a means of bringing about gender sensitive transformative leadership. Culled from The Sun

Posted on: 8th August, 2006

Godmothers to the Rescue

Godmothers to the rescue Godfatherism. This is one word that opens narrow doors when it comes to deciding who gets what in the political scene. They make or mar potential candidates all over the country. In fact, the concept of godfatherism is firmly establishing itself as a guiding principle in contemporary Nigerian politics. Recently, the women also decided that it was time for the godmothers to play their roles. Venue was a reflective road map workshop, which had influential women in attendance. The godmothers came prepared and they talked about the potentialities of women in the 2007 election and how to change the status quo. So, who are the godmothers, you ask? They are women who can influence those who get nominated, contest and win elections in their areas. Other participants were drawn from community-based organizations, women leaders, market leaders, aspirants from the South West zone. “The idea was to review women’s performance in the 2003 elections and develop strategies for the way forward”, informs Alhaja Obadina, a godmother and a strong political voice in the Lagos area. One of the outcomes of our meeting is that before we can support any man, he must promise to give women positions in his cabinets. Our target is 30 percent. Even though the men are coercive in getting their dividends, we would have a different approach” Obadina informs. Participants were able to agree that the godmothers were not playing their roles well “The women talked about the challenges in the political scene and the godmothers in attendance promised to change and play their roles very well” informs Alhaja Agoro one of the godmothers in attendance. Agoro adds “We have been grooming women who are interested in politics in rural areas like Makoko in Lagos state. We have contributed in different ways and one of this includes printing posters for them and helping them to design their campaign strategy. Their impact is being felt at the local level and they have been helping with community activities like environmental sanitation”. Even though some critics argued that godfathers have abused their roles in certain cases, the women argued that there is no cause for alarm. “Instead of making use of the bad sides of this political tool, we have decided to tap from its advantages “informs Ada Agina-Ude of GADA. Ude explained that a number of things are being put in place to ensure that women’s participation is smooth and successful. “There is project that will give gender awareness training to political leaders and other stakeholders in the six states before the elections. Also in the package is the conduct of policy, legislative and social advocacy towards the adoption of institutional policies and practices that will promote and sustain” The European Commission is also supporting women who are participating in the 2007 general elections. “The project covers the six South-Western states of Nigeria, which are Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Ekiti. This is being financed under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) micro project facility”, Ude says. At the end of the project, it is expected that between 300 to 600 women politicians in the targeted states seek elective offices at the state and local levels as a means of bringing about gender sensitive transformative leadership. Culled from The Sun

Posted on: 17,October 2006