In a renewed advocacy for increased women representation in politics, Hon. Irene Osobase has called on women across the country to step forward, find their voices, and actively participate in the political process.
Hon. Osobase, who serves as the Director-General of Train a Woman, You Train a Nation, made this call while emphasizing that sustainable development and inclusive governance cannot be achieved without the meaningful involvement of women. According to her, women possess the leadership capacity, resilience, and grassroots understanding needed to drive positive change in society.
She noted that despite making up a significant portion of the population, women remain underrepresented in political offices and decision-making positions. This imbalance, she said, has continued to limit perspectives in governance and slowed progress on issues that directly affect families, communities, and national development.
“Women must stop waiting to be invited into leadership spaces,” Hon. Osobase stated. “We must come out, contest, participate, and take charge. Politics is not reserved for a select few—it is a platform for service, and women are natural change-makers.”
As the DG of Train a Woman, You Train a Nation, Hon. Osobase highlighted the organization’s commitment to empowering women through leadership training, political education, mentorship, and advocacy. The initiative focuses on equipping women with the skills and confidence needed to engage effectively in politics and governance at all levels.
She further encouraged women to support one another, stressing that unity and collective action are critical in overcoming long-standing barriers such as cultural stereotypes, financial constraints, and limited access to political networks.
Hon. Osobase also called on political parties, government institutions, and stakeholders to create enabling environments that support women’s participation, including fair nomination processes and policies that promote gender inclusion.
Her message serves as a strong reminder that empowering women politically is not just about gender equality, but about nation-building. “When you train a woman, you train a nation,” she reiterated, urging women to rise, lead and shape the future.
