Since i became a member of this network right from the beginning of it's inception in February, i have a high perception that this is the visual network and platform for change for all women already in politics, those aspiring for political, economic, social and cultural life empowerment as well.

As each day passby, the network is becoming increasingly interesting with new members and fresh ideas, which sounds so good.

Now what action or mechanism is been put in place to consolidate all the good ideas or to put them in better use? Or more still, is this a platform of another women gatherings.

Please let's make good use of this platform, since opportunity calls but once.

Speaking of women pulling themselves down in Africa or Nigeria as you stated, you have to understand the dynamics at play there.
Stereotypes due to patriarchal attitudes have long embedded the notion that a woman's place is in the home (minister of home affairs as some jokingly say). Many women who break out of these socio- cultural strangleholds to participate in politics have been through different levels of opposition for some right from the family, friends and the community members. In the process these women get labeled as either girlfriends of party officials or loose if they are unmarried. For the married, they may get labeled as being strong, attributes the conservative society does not expect in a good woman or even that such woman has her under her spell ( the husband having failed in asserting his manliness is regarded as the woman's wrapper since she has wrapped him up).

That aside, have you not seen how the politicians cleverly put women to lock horns with one another , digging out skeletons from their closets and spreading it round. How many men receive condemnation for sleeping around, being abusive to their wives, having failed at work or have several mistresses? These are some of the things used against women and not their competence to hold office . Difference strokes for different folks i say. The women themselves do not realize that they are being used or that they are also unconsciously defending "women's intergrity" due to their socialization about how a woman should behave.

I am strongly in support of screening out persons who have low morals and competence and if that is the standard that the Nigerian people want to abide with, let it be uniformly applied and categorically stated in the Constitution. We are all living witnesses where in more advanced countries, officials in government and even in the private sector resign or are removed for their personal acts or failing to act in an appropriate manner. Why are people calling for the removal of the World Bank chief? In Nigeria, that would be a non issue as his friends and family would even congratulate him. As soon as the people begin to imbibe a culture of responsibility and fairness devoid of selfish considerations based on ethnic, religious or other connections, we can begin to experience positive change and development in Africa.

Relating to how none of the women vying for the governorship lost in Anambra State, you have to look at the broader issue of politics in Nigeria. The ability of the party to deliver the votes is important. How sincere were the party in supporting these women? Who are their political God fathers (we hardly have any Godmothers. Even the so called Women's leaders in the party may not have any influence) The personal antecedents of the women is also vital even though in some other cases, we have seen persons who came from nowhere to win. Then you also have to respect the rights of the citizen's to make a choice of whom they want. What considerations they take in making that choice is another issue. Can we influence them to make a choice in favor of women? Yes. First the clouding of their thinking in respect of women's role in governance due to socialization right from childhood has to be stripped step by step. The Ngozi's, Obi's, Nendi's, Dora's, etc should stand as role models and mentors. Men and women must begin to understand that without respect to the human dignity of the woman and mutual co-operation backed by genuine will to accommodate one another in the political space, we shall continue to speak about the low presence of women in the political scene for years to come. Rwanda has the best record for women in parliament and public office ( 50%). It took genuine affirmative action and the strong resolve of women competing side by side with men to get there.