Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah
Women vying for political and decision-making positions have been advised to seek their partners' consent for maximum support.
"Husbands and partners' consent is very critical for every woman to succeed in any political or leadership role they aspire to pursue and must not be shot down under any circumstance."
Madam Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, Member of Parliament for Salaga-South, who made this assertion, noted that the backing of a husband or partner was imperative, especially in a male-dominated society.
"In a male-dominated society like ours, where women are trying to break barriers, it's easier working with the men than making it look as if in competition with them."
Referring to herself as an example, she said that once the partners consented, they became a strong pillar of support and rallied behind as a force to demystify many stereotypes associated with women pursuing leadership positions.
"In 2018, when I had the urge to contest for the seat, I was nursing a toddler, but for my husband's support to take care of the home while I was away, it would have been difficult to navigate the terrain."
She mentioned that apart from her husband and father, Professor Ibrahimah, Dr. Sule Gariba, and Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, the frontline of her campaign activities have been men.
"When the men give you their consent and support, they in turn rally their wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters to follow you and buy into your vision, and for me, I have experienced this reality," she said.
The MP was of the firm conviction that women demanding leadership positions or aspiring to be at par with men was a matter of equity and not equality, so they must be conscious of the natural structures and work to harness them for their benefit.
While lauding the passage of the affirmative action bill, she quickly added that it was not to give women positions or roles on a silver platter. However, it called for hard work and building capacities to reach there.
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