Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chair of NiDCOM, urges stronger support for Nigerian women in leadership roles due to declining representation in politics. Addressing challenges like financial barriers and cultural biases, she advocates for proactive measures to improve women’s participation. Additionally, she raises concerns about trafficking and the dignity of deported Nigerians, highlighting the diaspora’s potential in national development.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), advocates for enhanced political and economic support for Nigerian women. She stresses the need for a more intentional approach to empower women in leadership roles, highlighting the significant decrease in female representation in Nigeria’s National Assembly, which has plummeted from 27 to only nine in the House of Representatives and four in the Senate during her tenure.
Dabiri-Erewa attributes this decline to various barriers, including the rising costs and threats associated with electioneering. “Money is a major problem, and the process is becoming more violent. If political parties commit to reserving certain seats for qualified women, we will see positive change,” she noted. Economic barriers are compounded by cultural biases discouraging women’s political ambitions.
She recounts an instance of societal beliefs undermining women’s roles: “Someone once said a woman can’t be a governor because she can’t break kola nut—but that’s not an issue. These outdated beliefs must change.” Furthermore, Dabiri-Erewa encourages women to actively pursue leadership roles, asserting that their involvement improves governance.
Addressing personal aspirations, she emphasizes that pursuing a career should not detract from family duties, stating, “No matter what, we are still mothers. We must raise our children while pursuing our careers.”
Reflecting on NiDCOM’s progress, she highlights initiatives aimed at connecting Nigerians abroad with their homeland. Dabiri-Erewa mentioned successful programs like Diaspora Day and the Diaspora Investment Summit, emphasizing that remittances from overseas Nigerians exceed $90 billion. She envisions the diaspora becoming a significant force for investment in Nigeria.
However, she voiced concern about the trafficking crisis affecting many Nigerians, particularly women, who are deceived and stranded in foreign countries. “Over 5,000 Nigerian women are stranded in Iraq, many of them facing inhumane conditions. We receive distress calls daily,” she reported. She calls for stringent measures against traffickers, insisting on raising public awareness to safeguard citizens.
Furthermore, Dabiri-Erewa addressed the treatment of deported Nigerians, arguing against the criminalization of migration. She believes those returning should be treated with dignity, stating, “Migration is not a crime. Many Nigerians travel in search of a better life… they should be treated with dignity and respect.”
Despite the challenges ahead, she remains hopeful about improving the status of women in leadership and the diaspora’s role in national development. She concludes by reiterating the need for substantial support for women in politics, active diaspora engagement, and protection against trafficking.
In conclusion, Abike Dabiri-Erewa emphasizes the pressing need for dedicated support and specific strategies to enhance women’s political representation in Nigeria. She identifies significant financial, cultural, and security barriers that hinder women’s participation and calls for political parties to actively reserve seats for capable women. Moreover, her commitment to addressing women trafficking and ensuring dignified treatment of deported Nigerians underscores the crucial role of the diaspora in advancing national development.
Original Source: businessday.ng
