WOMEN COMMIT TO PARTICIPATING IN ELECTIONS DESPITE SECURITY CHALLENGES

In Kajuru Local government area of Kaduna State, Nigeria is o e of the worst-hit areas when it comes to the security challenges bedeviling the state. Kidnapping, bandit attacks, and unrest have their toll on the communities in that local government area living residents in perpetual apprehension almost at all times.

However, in the face of this constant fear of the unknown the women risked it all to participate in our sensitization toward Nigeria's 2023 elections.

We too had it tougher psyching ourselves up to visit the local government and we were glad we did.

We had fruitful deliberations on the importance of women remaining steadfast and resolute to ensure the right thing is done and women are not swayed into taking decisions that will affect they're being active participants in politics.

It was also a welcome development for the Chairman of the Local Government area, Mr. Ibrahim Gajere who reiterated the important role women play at the polls given their large number of registered voters.

It was the second outreach in Kaduna state and the outcome was even beyond what we expected as women kept on trooping the local government secretariat even after the event had ended.

Being one of the areas with heavy insecurity issues in the state we had our doubts about the turnout but we were proven wrong by the share bravery and commitment women in the area had to the importance of their voices being heard to make a difference.

We are calling on politician, stakeholders and indeed Nigerians to stand against the use of deceit to influence vote buying in the coming elections.