The Women Commission of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has called for a change in politics.
At a conference in Lagos, the commission’s outgoing chairperson, Comrade Oyinkan Olasanoye, lamented that the general elections held a few weeks ago left tears, sorrow and blood on their trail.
She said: “Though women were murdered, more men were killed. The number of widows increases by the day in Nigeria because of insecurity deliberately created by our politicians.
“We wear the shoes, so we can tell where it pinches. Our style of politics must change. Winner-takes-all kind of politics is what creates tension in our country. Winners should be magnanimous in victory by carrying all along,” she said.
On the theme of the conference, “Balance for Better,” Olasanoye said it was borne out of the desire to encourage women to rise up to the task ahead.
She noted that the odds were against the womenfolk, and it would require die-hard progressives to change the paradigm.
“Freedom anywhere is not got on a gold platter. People work for it. Rosa Parks refused to stand for a white person on a bus because she knew her rights. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Margaret Ekpo played their roles well,” she said, emphasising that it was sad that, even in this modern day, many people still have certain stereotypes about the role of women in society, despite that women are excelling in all human endeavours.
She, however, challenged women to fight for their rights and overcome the obstacles, because it was time for women to take advantage of their inherent ability to create a niche for themselves as well as empower others.
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