Stakeholders, women leaders and development partners have called for increased participation of women in leadership and governance at the Southern Kaduna Trailblazing Women Association (SOKATWA) Summit and Fundraising event, held on Sunday in Kafanchan.
The chairman of the occasion, Mr Jerry Adams, emphasised that getting it right with women is key to getting society right, noting that women play a critical role in shaping character at home and within communities.
He commended the organisers for bringing together a high-calibre of women at the summit and urged participants not to despise little beginnings, but to remain focused and determined.
Earlier, the President of SOKATWA, Mrs Belinda Augustine Istifanus, described the summit as a defining moment and a mission-driven gathering aimed at repositioning women as central actors in leadership and governance.
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She stated that the association was established with a clear mandate to support, empower, and advance women in all spheres of life, particularly in political participation and leadership.
According to her, despite their numbers and capacity, women's participation in politics in Southern Kaduna remains low, primarily due to inadequate political awareness at the grassroots level.
Mrs Istifanus noted that SOKATWA had chosen action over lamentation, participation over self-pity, and leadership over silence, declaring the association's determination to drive a generational shift that would secure women a rightful voice and visibility.
In a keynote address, the 130th Lord Mayor of Leeds City, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, described the summit's theme, "My Voice, My Choice, My Future," as apt and inspiring.
She encouraged women to take responsibility for shaping their futures, decide the kind of impact they want to make, and deliberately work towards leaving lasting legacies.
She challenged men constantly to support their women and urged participants not to despair in their quest to build a better future.
In his remarks as Father of the Day, Mr Abdulmalik Durunguwa cautioned the association against partisan politics or tribal divisions, urging members to remain united and focused on their core objectives.
Also speaking, Mr Simon Reef Musa described Southern Kaduna women as strong and resilient, urging them to pursue common objectives and build bridges across communities that would attract development and foster unity.
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The summit concluded with a call for sustained mentorship, partnership, and support from both women and men to translate the vision of SOKATWA into measurable impact across Southern Kaduna.
