Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, has expressed hope for African women’s participation in politics.
In a statement issued on Monday to celebrate the emergence of Kamala Harris as United States’ Vice President-elect, Tallen said history had been made “as Kamala Harris becomes first woman and first black woman” to be elected to the White House as Vice President.
She noted that Harris’ emergence had shown the way for women all over the world to take their rightful place in their various nations’ political space.
The statement reads in part: “Today history has been made. Americans have spoken and demonstrated the value Women bring to Governance as Kamara Harris emerges not just as the first woman but as the first black woman to be elected Vice President of America.
“Her emergence is a further Affirmation that this is the time for women to take their rightful place in all governance processes.
“As we celebrate this victory, let this be a wake up call to Nations and particularly to women around the globe; that this is indeed a new dawn where only the participation of women in the global political space can change and shape the economies of Nations; including Nigeria.
“Added, in Nigeria, the victory of the 35 years old Ms. Esther Agbaje as the first Nigerian-American in the Minnesota legislature is heartwarming and deserving of our celebration.
“And, so, with overwhelming joy in my heart, in solidarity with American voters, and on behalf of Nigerian Women and the girl-child, I see a renewed hope for women in the Nigerian political space as we continue to lend our voices and galvanize acceptance of women in redefining our society.”
