By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
A Non Governmental Organization, Life Helpers Initiative with support from UNICEF and British Council has began awareness campaigns to higher institutions across Sokoto on "Enhancing Women Participation In Decision Making as well as Political Processes in the State".
Speaking during their visit to Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), LIFE Helpers Initiative Programme Manager, for the Project, Hadiza Ibrahim Yaro, passionately appealed to managements of higher institutions in the State to promote female leadership from the ivory towers
One of the Programme's Role Models, Barrister Rashidat Muhammed, urged management of UDUS and other higher institutions across the State to further strengthen women by engaging them in all possible fronts as far as leadership positions were concerned
"If we agree that decision making starts from the grassroots, then our higher institutions have to promote female gender in leadership mentality. This is because it is no longer news that most classreps, SUG Presidents and all other key positions in the higher institutions especially in Northern States, Sokoto inclusive, are always male students dominated".
While appealing to the Dean, Students Affairs of UDUS, Professor Aminu Mode, to help change the mentality of women are not supposed to lead men, Barrister Rashidat, recounted her ordeal when she contested against a male student and was defeated on feminism bases during her days in the institution.
She therefore advised that the notion that, "The society does not accommodate women representative in leadership positions should be preached against.
The Dean of Students Affairs, Professor Aminu Mode, in his response debunked the claim by saying UDUS is female friendly.
Prof Mode who thanked the NGO (Life Helpers Initiative) for their advocacy, however, added that the most important thing, first and foremost is to encourage female education as according to him, "No matter the support you want to give a female without education it will not give you the desired results".
Talking on how UDUS has friendly atmosphere for both the female and people living with disability (PLWD), Prof Mode said, "UDUS have special rooms solely meant for PLWD both in the male and female hostels and they have never exhausted them. Two years ago, UDUS purchased special motorcycles worth 800,000 just to support PLWD in addition to the vehicles that were also purchased for them as well.
"Even UDUS student's disciplinary committee is headed by a woman. The Secretary Post Graduate schools is a woman. We have a lot of good thoughts towards the women.
"In UDUS student's unionism, we now have the position of Vice President and Treasurer permanently reserved for female students.
"It may also interest you to note that in UDUS, we have Female Support Association that is shouldered with the responsibility of investigating issues of harassments, molestation or maltreatment of female students".
Prof Mode further advised Life Helpers Initiative to always engage teachers hence they are role models in the minds of their pupils, students and even community. NNL.
