Dame Pauline Tallen, former Minister of Women Affairs, urged President Bola Tinubu to fulfill his promise of 35% affirmative action for women.
She said this during an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.
According to her, women played crucial roles during the campaign and his eventual victory.
“The actual campaign that brings votes is usually done by women, it is called door-to-door campaign, and women are the engine of that campaign. That is why we always clamour that women are not often fairly treated at the end of elections.
“The President promised in his inaugural speech to give special attention to women and youths in line with the 35 per cent affirmative action for women. He believes in working with women and supporting them, I urge him to fulfill it.”
Tallen emphasized that women bring vitality to political campaigns, leveraging their roles as mothers in direct one-on-one campaign strategies, which significantly impact election results.
‘More women in the Assembly’
“For me, electioneering campaign is not merely about going from state to state for political rally, which is more like a mere jamboree, the big deal is the quiet, behind-the-scene, door-to-door engagements and mobilisations done by women, which usually garners the votes and determines subsequent victory.
“Gender equality is the smartest thing to do; globally, it is the smartest way to go, so as to bolster a nation’s economy because empowering women is synonymous with empowering the family and the nation,” she added.
Tallen, praised Tinubu for choosing a woman as Lagos State deputy governor when he was the governor.
She believes Tinubu’s support for his wife’s senatorial terms shows his commitment to women.
She lauded the renaming of the National Centre for Women Development after Maryam Babangida. The former Minister highlighted her pioneering advocacy for women’s issues and empowerment.
Tallen also commended female National Assembly members for passing the bill to rename the center.
She emphasized the importance of more women in the Assembly to advocate for women’s rights.
During her tenure as minister, Tallen worked on nationwide advocacy for women’s rights. Her work led to states adopting various women and girl-child rights laws.