– Harps On Active Female Participation In Socio-Political Activities
By Martin Opara
Women Solidarity Movement (WSM) an apolitical Non Governmental Organization that is committed to mobilizing, educating and sensitizing women on the need to wake up from slumber and participate actively in socio-political and economic activities, held its inaugural meeting in Owerri, the Imo State capital onSaturday, May 17, 2025.
The Convener, Chief (Dr) Mrs Pauline Ozuzu, a retired Permanent Secretary and respected community leader, in her speech themed, “Women in active society”, x-rayed letters that make up the word, women. According to her, W means wonderful, O, Outstanding, M-Mother while E and N mean Exceptional, Nicest Gift to God and Mankind. This, said amidst applause underscores the unique importance of women in the scheme of things.
Addressing the gathering of over four hundred women, who came from the three senatorial zones of the state, Dr Ozuzu, described by many as a woman of impeccable character and unblemished track record said, “
This movement is aimed at sensitizing the female gender on the need to harness and optimally deploy their innate abilities towards contributing meaningfully to societal growth and development by being active participants in the socio-political arena, rather than sitting on the fence and watching helplessly”.
“To this end, Women Solidarity Movement, as the name implies, is a platform designed to engage the female gender in active progressive society with the objective of having gender based collective activities that will be spiced with the dynamic potential of women in building a healthy, productive and sustainable society that is growth-oriented.”
She further noted that despite the fact that women by virtue of their roles as care givers and home builders who support their families and their husbands in positions of authority, available data regrettably indicates that women are underrepresented at all levels of decision making worldwide. Hence achieving gender parity in politics is very remote. “However, women’s equal participation in politics and leadership are essential ingredients for achieving the much needed Sustainable Development Goals.”
She urged the highly elated women present at the event to take a cue from some women who, by dint of hard work, determination, discipline and resilience broke the jinx and became prominent nationally and internationally. These, according to her include, Dr Mrs Okonjo Iweala, a prominent economist, diplomat and high profile civil servant who served twice as the Minister of Finance and currently the Director General of World Trade Organization (WTO), late Dr Mrs Dora Akunyili, former Director General of the National Agency For Food Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC, Dr Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, a former Vice Chairman of the World Bank and later, a two time Minister of Education and her humble self, a reputable technocrat, Chartered Accountant and Doctorate degree holder who reached the peak of the civil service and retired as a Permanent Secretary.
She summarized her speech by highlighting the roles of women as agents of progressive change in their homes, offices and the larger society. These she said, include, impacting decision making and policy outcome, eliminating gender stereotype and gender based discrimination by their participation.
“Women, by their nature, are agents of positive change across all sectors of life. No organization or society can experience growth and transformation without the involvement of women because they help to drive innovations, productivity and growth thereby benefiting the society at large”.
Dr Ozuzu who commended the giant developmental strides of Governor of Imo state, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma in all aspects, urged Imo people at home and in the Diaspora to key into the vision and mission of his 3R-administration by supporting its programmes and policies to enable government to continue dispensing the dividends of democracy to Imo people.
Chief Okechukwu Adiele, a community leader and grassroots mobilizer, Sir Ohiri KSM and Mrs Udeh, in their separate speeches, also advised the women to make good use of their God given talents and endowments to enhance societal growth and development by being more vocal and visible in the scheme of things, adding that the era of seeing women as second class citizens whose views are inconsequential are over.
The husband of the convener, High Chief Emma Ozuzu KSM, in his speech urged the women to desist from their usual Pull Her Down Syndrome which, according to him, has always been their albatross and major hindrance.
According to High Chief Ozuzu, “one of the major challenges women have which often impedes their individual and collective progress in the society is their penchant for discrediting, opposing, backbiting and spreading false rumours about one another out of jealousy, hatred and transferred aggression based on “why must it always be her”. I urge members of this movement to eschew these vices and work together as a team to achieve desired result”.
