By joshua 
The International Women’s Day (IWD) being a global holiday celebrated annually to commemorate the cultural, political and socioeconomic achievements of women with the ultimate goal of strengthening the roles of the woman in all societies should focus more on rural women in low developed countries.
I understand the apparent drive behind this year’s theme ” breaking the bias” but as a realist, I am averse to the idea that the system directly subjugates us on the ground of politics and leadership. No, not a tenable argument. Do we have legislative enactments in any African countries that limits the participation and advancement of women in politics? The truth is the exorbitant and violent practices hampering the process of Free and Fair Electioneering beyond the reach of the average woman the world over.
I see the word BIAS more of irrational hostility in our body polity than partiality on the part of our opposite gender. Therefore, the work confronting us as women leaders at this trying time is really not sociopolitical reorientation but socioeconomic empowerment which must begin with the education of our young women everywhere in all circumstances without discrimination. Quality education is the most potent weapon for liberation thus capable of breaking the seeming bias and dislodging the mounting barriers evident in politics, entrepreneurship and other endeavours.
We must concern ourselves particularly with the unavoidable herculean tasks of building strong families with the right value system. We must push for the establishment of robust enabling environment for the survival and wellbeing of family life. The gross deficiency in affordable and comfortable housing, the pervading threatening insecurity, insufficient opportunities in agricultural sector, lack of access to potable water and other essential amenities in rural communities amongst other surmountable menaces confronting the woman should preoccupy our minds for proper and appropriate actions to drive home our demands from governments at all levels.
Women all over the world are the Special Support for the sustainability of society. Historically, women are the drivers of social change and our influence is enamours considering the number and the fact that we nurture life therefore, we must unite in our thoughts and responses to the issues of nationbuilding. The future is ours and we must put in our best now to address the Terror of Poverty against humanity more than ever.
I congratulate all women of substance who are in the advocacy for a better world and I encourage us to do more while I felicitate with all women around the world on the occasion of this year International Women’s Day.
Hon. Saratu Oiza Asuku
Solid Voice for Rural Women…. Continue reading