Ondo female politician laments exclusion in 20 years of democracy

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Title: Ondo Female Politician Laments Exclusion in 20 Years of Democracy

Date: March 12, 2023

Akure, Ondo State - A prominent female politician in Ondo State, Mrs. Olubunmi Adesanya, has lamented the exclusion of women from key positions of authority in the state's 20-year history of democracy.

Speaking at a symposium organized by the Ondo State chapter of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Akure, Adesanya, a former member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, expressed disappointment at the lack of representation of women in the state's political leadership.

"In the past 20 years, we have had several governments in Ondo State, but unfortunately, women have been relegated to the background. We have not had a single female governor, deputy governor, or speaker of the House of Assembly," Adesanya said.

She noted that women make up over 50% of the state's population, but their contributions to politics and governance have been minimal.

"It is unfortunate that despite our numerical strength, women have not been given the opportunity to participate fully in the political process. We have been marginalized and excluded from key decision-making positions," Adesanya said.

The politician called on women to take advantage of the opportunities available to them and participate actively in politics.

"We must not be afraid to take risks and challenge the status quo. We must be willing to learn and take on leadership roles. We must also support and encourage each other to succeed," Adesanya said.

The symposium, which was attended by women from across the state, was aimed at promoting women's participation in politics and governance.

In her keynote address, the President of NAWOJ, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, urged women to take advantage of the opportunities available to them and participate actively in politics.

"We must not be silenced by the challenges we face. We must be bold and courageous. We must also support and encourage each other to succeed," Egbemode said.

The symposium also featured a panel discussion on "Women's Participation in Politics and Governance: Challenges and Opportunities."

The event was attended by women from across the state, including politicians, civil society leaders, and journalists.