A member of the Lagos state House of Assembly representing Amuwo-Odofin Constituency 1, Stella Foluke Osafile has said that women in leadership often prioritise peace-building and conflict resolution, contributing to more stable and resilient societies.
This assertion was made at a meeting organised by UN Women and Canadian Embassy, implemented in partnership with the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and supported by Women Active in Politics.
Women’s participation ensures that decision-making processes reflect the full diversity of our communities, addressing the needs of all citizens, including marginalised and vulnerable groups. She added that it promotes balanced and just policies in crucial areas like healthcare, education, social welfare, and environmental sustainability.
The objective is to champion the cause of women in politics, break down barriers that hinder their participation, and support their leadership journey. She appealed to stakeholders facing challenges in Amuwo Odofin constituency and society to speak out for adequate solutions to their needs.
She also advised youths and women to embrace opportunities in the 21st century such as farming, technology, and vocational skills by looking inward. President Warien Rose foundation and Convener, Women in Active politics, Dr. Efe Anaughe charged women to believe in themselves and do more in leadership and politics. “We live in a time of rapid and profound changes, driven by technology, globalisation and environmental issues. Women all over the world are doing amazing things. Women should embrace a lot of positive changes and never be relegated to the background.”
While Senior Research fellow, National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies, Dr. Osarenti Godspower Okungbowa, disclosed that the institute provides platform for equal opportunities and representation to both genders in politics and leadership. He observed that despite notable progress in some areas, women are still under-represented in political spaces worldwide.
He noted that empowering women politically is not only a matter of equity but also a strategic necessity for building strong, responsive, and thriving democracies.
