Awkunanaw Women in Politics

 Politics is said to be the activities of the government, members of law-making organization or people who try to influence the way a country is governed. 

The big question is, how are women in politics perceived or those who intend to to go into politics? Are they supported by the male gender? or should the female gender resign to fate and only carry out their duties in the kitchen and the other room? 

If there's any woman from Awkunanaw clan that has ever held any political appointment, is certainly by a share stroke of luck or because destiny played a greater part. Take the case of Hon. Onyinye Ugwu (Mrs) a member of the Enugu state of Assembly, 

Hon Ifeoma Ugwu (PDP ward 1councillor), Hon (Mrs) Theresa Egbo (former chief whip Enugu state) for an example, and this is because men are seen as the breadwinner of the family and age-long tradition and culture which placed men above women,forgetting the fact that most women are now the breadwinners of their respective homes and equally the popular saying that "what a man can do, a woman can do even better". 

From the local to the global level, women's leadership and political participation are restricted, women are under registered as voters as well as in leading positions whether in elected office, the civil service, private sector etc. 

Such is still the case despite their proven abilities as leaders and agents of change (not the type we're witnessing now) and their right to participate equally in democratic governance. 

Globally , there is no yardstick of measuring women to men in legal, social and economic rights. Gender gaps are widespread in the access and control of resources and economic opportunities, both in the terms of power and political voices. 

This in turn,has dealt a deadly blow to our development even in Awkunanaw as it were, women who are intelligent and resourceful are relegated to the back ground simply because of age-long tradition and culture. What this means is that these women cannot contribute their own quota to development.

 This campaign however, is designed to target the interest of more Awkunanaw women towards embracing the available opportunities in politics. 

We say no to this discrimination, we say no to kitchen and the other room mentality, for what Awkunanaw men can do, we Awkunanaw women can do  even better, we can become the chairman of Enugu-south LGA, we can become the Governor of Enugu state, we can hold key and strategic positions in Enugu state, YES! It equally belong to us and not men alone. YES, WE CAN!

Agbo Ogechukwu, writing for Awkunanaw Voices..
photo credit: FacesofAmechi.blogspot.com