In most parts of the world, politics, governance and decision making are seen as the preserve of men.
From scriptures that call men the head of the home to the difficulties faced by women who choose to run for office, the message passed to younger women is that leadership and particularly political leadership is solely for men.
However, women politicians deserve as much amplification and praise for soldiering on in a field that very often comes with a gendered threat to life.
To celebrate some of these women, Urban Woman Magazine recently asked some women to share the past and present female politicians who inspire them.
Read their responses below.
Ewawumi
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
If you need to know as a Nigerian female if you can make it…remember this woman and know there’s no heights you can’t attain.
Anto
Rukayat Shittu. She’s the youngest lawmaker in the country.
Regarding the barriers for women politicians…cultural norms and lack of funds are major barriers.
Jesutomi*
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. At 12, my ambition skyrocketed because the first three positions in my class were boys. Was like wtf! I was new in JSS2 at that time. And I was like 6th or 5th position, but I was so disgusted.
Came across Okonjo at that time. Despite her Harvard background it didn’t matter. I mean how often do you see a woman that doesn’t change because of a man. I know for sure she had to put up with misogynists to attain such success.
She hardly wears makeup, with her iconic headwear and a representation of African preservation with her wardrobe.
I was truly inspired. The way she talks and how she reasons. How often do you see a woman holding two prestige offices?
World Bank and Financial Minister. Guess who got first position thrice and held a competitive first position tie with the once unmovable first place dude. ME.
A teacher was so mad I beat this guy he made fun of me in class because my math was bad. Like who cares when you’re good at other things. Even if sapa is working things in my head, i remember Okonjo and remember what it takes to get to the top.
DY
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. She’s not backing down, and I am really rooting for her. Do you know she’s going to court for charges filed against her by Akpabio? Being against the top giants of the Nigerian political system is something everyone knows can be very messy.
Senator Natasha’s voice is my voice. Her activism is our collective activism.
Her sexual harrassment case is one of the reasons for political apathy amongst women. After fighting sexism to get to your position, you come back to fight sexual predators while trying to keep the position again. When does it ever end?
To be honest, I don’t even have a solution, but I’d always root for women in power. Dami Agbaje was supposed to be thd light for our generation, but death did its worst. I can only hope that women see it not as a setback but as a call to more participation.
MJ
I would say Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was a powerful Nigerian activist who fought for women’s rights during colonial times, and it was one of the many things that made me attracted to her including the fact that we are ‘namies’. She started a huge women’s group with about 20,000 members, pushing for women to have a voice in politics and society. She did that and garnered support, a baddie.
She was also the first woman in Nigeria to drive a car. My respect for her grew wider when I discovered she paved the way, now look at the number of female drivers in Nigeria. People called her the “Mother of Africa” because of how strongly she stood for women and I think they are right. Because of her and other women I have admired in politics, I want to always stand by and for women.
*Name changed to protect identity
Angel Nduka-Nwosu is a writer, journalist and editor. She moonlights occasionally as a podcaster on As Angel Was Sayin’. Catch her on all socials @asangelwassayin.