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Special Report

Unity Bank Targets Millions of Underbanked Women With New Campaign

by Women Times on

Retail lender, Unity Bank Plc has deployed a new marketing campaign targeted at reaching millions of women entrepreneurs, especially the underbanked across Nigeria with its new retail product, the Yanga account.

Starting this August, the lender shall deploy strategic marketing campaigns leveraging several channels including the traditional and digital media to drive value proposition and increased adoption of the Yanga product.

The Yanga account, which was launched by the lender in November 2021 in line with Unity bank’s strategic vision of being “Nigeria’s retail bank of choice” debuted in four geographical locations: Mararaba/Nassarawa state, Ibadan/Oyo state, Uyo/Akwa Ibom state and Gombe/Gombe state.

Commenting on the new Yanga Market Penetration Campaign, the Divisional Head, Retail and SME, Mr Olufunwa Akinmade stated that “having launched the Yanga Account, unveiled Veteran Actress, Sola Sobowale as “Mama Yanga’’, the new campaign is intended to further provide the engagement platform to empower core target of the product existing in our communities and found amongst millions of underbanked women”.

The product targets women entrepreneurs in the Micro, small and medium enterprises, MSME space, especially the underbanked, offering savings and investment, capacity building, agency banking, dedicated agents, medical insurance and microloans to the women, thereby deepening financial inclusion.

The marketing drive includes a well-targeted television commercial featuring the Bank’s brand ambassador, the award-winning Nollywood actress, Sola Sobowale who was crowned “Mama Yanga” at the launch of the product in November last year because of her strong appeal to the target market. Across the multiple channels deployed for the campaign, “Mama Yanga” will be sharing the stories of how Yanga is empowering women and changing lives across Nigeria.

Yanga is available to all women entrepreneurs nationwide, even as the Bank continues to drive strategic activations of the product across various locations in the country. So far, the activation train has been to Lagos, Nasarawa, Gombe, Akwa Ibom, Port Harcourt and Ibadan.

Seeking to promote financial inclusion and cater to the unbanked women entrepreneurs, the new retail product is designed to deepen its beneficial impact on Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs operated by women in the mass-market retail space.

The product comes on the heels of Nigeria’s growing imperative to boost access to financial services by women as a recent EFInA report, suggests, “There are 51 million Nigerian women above 18 years of age, with over 41% of them unbanked.”

 

 

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Special Report

How Gender Bias Hinders Support For Women in Politics

by Women Times on

By Ijeoma Opara

Women make up one of the underrepresented groups in Nigeria’s political leadership.

This has been attributed by some to a lack of interest displayed by women in political matters, whereas some attribute it to the financial implication of vying for a political office.

To improve women’s political participation in Nigeria, many parties cut down the required nomination fees for female aspirants, making them free in some cases.

In March 2022, hundreds of women gathered at the National Assembly gate in Abuja to protest the rejection of five gender equality bills which were part of a review of the 1999 constitution.

One of the rejected bills sought the implementation of affirmative action for women, which allows them to occupy 35 per cent of all appointive positions in government.

However, despite these measures to resolve the political imbalance, the gains which can be argued to be incremental is still negligible.

In the recently concluded Ekiti general elections, there was only one female, Kemi Elebute-Halle, out of sixteen candidates on the ballot.

Of 351,865 valid votes cast during the election, only 3,495 were recorded in favour of Elebute-Halle, which is less than 1 per cent of the total votes cast.

The story is the same for Osun gubernatorial election held July 16, which had no female candidates on the ballot.

A day before the election, The ICIR had carried out a survey of residents in the state who gave several reasons why the female candidate could not be governor.

Some of the residents had said they were not aware that a female candidate was contesting the elections.

“I did not know a woman was contesting the elections,” a resident, Oluwakemi Olatunji, told The ICIR.

Another resident, Alaba Ogundare, said while she knew there was a female candidate, she could not recall her name.

However, residents who were familiar with Elebute-Halle’s gubernatorial aspirations still were not willing to give their support.

Retired Army Officer Oroolu Benson said women had less strength than men and, therefore, would not get his vote during the elections.

“A woman has no power as a man. When issues come up, women will run away. Men are stronger,” he said.

Another resident, Isah Baba, said the female candidate was less experienced in political issues and, therefore, not qualified for the governorship.

“My candidate is a man. The woman is still coming up; she is just a beginner,” he said.

A trader at Ikere-Ekiti, Bukola Ogundare, said she did not think a woman could govern the state.

“I am not interested in voting for a woman because women are the enemies of themselves. I cannot vote for a woman. I do not think a woman can govern this state well. Those that have governed in the past are still struggling not to talk of women,” she said.

However, for a few others, like Esan Sunday, a resident in his 70s, gender was not a basis for leadership.

“Human beings are interdependent, and we are created before God as equals. If a woman comes in, it may be better because we are born equally but not equally talented. There are some women who can perform more excellently than men,” he said.

In an interview with The ICIR, politician and social activist Tari Oliver identified a lack of funds as a major reason why women do not compete favourably or get enough popularity and votes during elections.

“The number one issue with women in politics in Nigeria today is funding. Poverty wears the face of a woman and most women in Nigeria today are unable to play the money politics that goes on during elections in Nigeria,” she said.

She encouraged women to work harder to raise funds and raise support groups early enough ahead of elections.

“When people see you are already working hard, it is easier to rally around and support you. Women should consciously work hard ahead of elections to generate funds and gather support for their ambitions,” she said.

Oliver also noted that the implementation of the 35 per cent affirmative action for women would further improve support for female political candidates.

“If the 35 per cent affirmative action is implemented, then everyone would know that certain positions are reserved for just women.

“You know that even if it is your sister or mother or someone else, that position must be occupied by a woman. That way, people begin to get used to voting women into political positions,” she added.

Credit: ICIR

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Special Report

UNAN Empowers Widows To Commemorate International Widows Day

by Women Times on

As part of its initiative to commemorate this year’s International Widows Day, the United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNAN) empowered Widows with diverse skills and also supported them with cash donations. 

 

The association held an event tagged “International Widows’ Day Business Clinic” to commemorate the day, celebrated every June 23 worldwide.

According to Mrs. Joan Agha, UNAN President, the event was met to help women acquire skills in Fashion, Trading, Food, and Manufacturing and make them financially independent.

 

 

She urged the women to be innovative and never give up as they have a role to play in contributing to economic growth.

 

In the same vein, Dr. Omopeju Afanu, UNAN Vice President said the Business Clinic aligns with this year’s global theme: “Sustainable Solutions for Widows Financial Independence.”

 

She also emphasized the importance of planning, setting financial goals, and keeping basic records.

Mrs. Nita Odunfa, Founder of Makadel Fashion School on her part, gave an inspiring session on business and financial management, stating the importance of starting small with a passion to succeed. She urged the women never to stop learning as it would help grow their business.

 

 

Thereafter, Mrs. Odunfa and her husband promised to give financial support to any of the Widows interested in learning fashion skills further. She also said that one of their children interested in learning as well can enroll at their Academy for free.

 

In addition, UNAN announced that one of its partners is offering free make-up training to any of the participants and their kids.

 

Joan Agha Foundation gave a cash donation of N20,000.00 to each of the Widows present.

 

International Widows Day is a United Nations ratified day of action to address the “poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries”. The day takes place annually on 23 June.

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Special Report

Oyebanji, Ini Edo, Others Make Case for Women, Youths Participation in Politics

by Women Times on

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate in Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO), has joined international organizations and peace ambassadors to advocate for peaceful election come June 18.

Speaking while playing host to the leadership of various Non-Governmental Organizations, including Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD) and non-Violence Against Women in Politics (VAWIP) and the representative of National Democratic Institute, in Ado Ekiti, Oyebanji called on stakeholders in the state to make sure the coming election is conducted without any rancour.

He said, “I’m so excited today to identify with this noble campaign which centres around peaceful election, non-violence against women in politics and empowerment of Nigerian youths. Again, I’m using this opportunity to call on political leaders and their followers to ensure peaceful election come June 18 because no election is worth the blood of any Ekiti man or woman.

“We are one and we should embrace peace because no society grows in the midst of crisis. I’m also committed to further boosting women participation in politics and will ensure, if elected governor, that more women are appointed into government because women are known to be more effective in administration.

“On youths development, which incidentally is one of the major areas I focus in my manifesto, I will not only give priority to youth development but will also separate the Ministry of Youths Development from Sports for effectiveness,”

Earlier, popular Nollywood actress, Ini Edo, had called on APC and Oyebanji to guide against all forms of discrimination and violence against women in politics.

Ini Edo, who is the NDI National Ambassador on Women Empowerment Programs and leading promoter of non-Violence Against Women in Politics (VAWIP) expressed worries that most women had been discouraged from vying for elective offices as a result of gender-based violence.

She identified gender-based violence such as bullying, coercion, unhealthy notions against women, violence during elections, as some of the factors that discouraged women in politics.

The Chief Executive Officer of Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD), Mrs Abimbola Aladejare-Salako, said women deserve to be given preferences and protected against societal ills.

Aladejare-Salako said the NGO was also partnering with the Southwest geo-political zone in the campaigns for the 2022 Ekiti and Osun governorship races and the 2023 general elections.

The Coalition of NGOs also urged political parties to organise peaceful electioneering campaigns before, during, and after the 2022 Ekiti off-cycle governorship election and the 2023 general elections.

 

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Special Report

The Importance Of Supporting Gender Equality In The Tech Industry

by Women Times on
While there has been headway toward greater workplace diversity in recent years, there is still much more work to be done. There is undeniably a gender divide in all businesses, and one of these historically male-dominated industries is technology.

In fact, according to Deloitte Insight, large global technology firms are predicted on average to nearly reach 33% overall female representation in their workforces in 2022. This is slightly higher than 2 percentage points from 2019. Additionally in Nigeria, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, women make up on average just 22% of the total number of engineering and technology university graduates each year.

While the IT industry often talks about inclusion and diversity, much more work remains to be done. And, more significantly, talk must rapidly become action. Both education and inspiration are required to close the gender divide in technology.

We must provide young Nigerian females with the required skills to seek equal opportunities in the future. However, where should we begin?  We spoke with industry leaders ahead of International Girls in ICT Day to hear their opinions.

Change stereotypes

With conversations on ‘jobs of the future’ happening everywhere, why does it feel like we are not making any progress that is quite definitive for everyone, questions Kuppulakshmi Krishnamoorthy, Global Head at Zoho for Startups. “Why does it look like most of the vision-and-mission statements only put ‘gender equality’ on a treadmill and also openly wonder why there are not enough girls in STE(A)M?”

“Knowing the importance of equal gender representation in tech is one thing, and doing what it takes to support, to become an ally, is an entirely different thing,” adds Krishnamoorthy. “To support gender equality in tech, the key players who have the power to propel this movement and those that can translate mere words into actions, have to have infinite compassion, and courage (born out of empathy and kindness) to constantly work on changing the stereotypes.”

With the assumption that the people in the driver’s seat of future innovation and policymaking already recognise the critical nature of gender equality in technology, Krishnamoorthy makes three recommendations for amplifying their support:

1. Support equality from early on—early education on diversity and inclusion.

2. Don’t just stop with being an ally. Create more allies whose words match perfectly with their actions.

3. Be present, bring your own chair to the table, and be a lighthouse of a mentor.

4. Invest time and money on training to overcome conscious and unconscious bias; to create more resonant leaders; to create a community of mentors and givers who passionately volunteer and train young girls; to find and bring together more people who are truly intentional and are willing to pass the baton of knowledge on.

5. Create and make available a marketplace of tech tools for learning and development like robotics kits, sandbox developer platforms, etc., that help in proving that technology can be a leveler.

6. Empower young girls by helping them enhance their innate emotional quotient (EQ), keeping in mind intersectionality.

“On this International Girls in ICT Day, as we act with more focus and passion, and as we reach for the stars, let’s also promise to the posterity that the magnificent future will be built on a strong foundation of equality and inclusivity.”

Society must be aware of gender biases children grow up with

“When it comes to getting more women into tech or other spaces where we are underrepresented, language and representation matter,” says Aisha Pandor, CEO of home services company SweepSouth.

“We often hear that when females are assertive they’re seen as aggressive, but when males are assertive, they’re confident. That kind of language and those kinds of stereotypes start being entrenched when kids are young and impressionable. For example, as early as at primary school, when girls are studying maths and science, it’s well reported that many don’t feel confident enough in a class with other young boys, to put up their hands to answer questions.”

Pandor adds that as a society we need to be aware of any gender biases our children grow up with, and consciously untrain them, otherwise they occur at such a formative stage of development that they become entrenched and difficult to undo. “This awareness work needs to be done with both girls and boys, without leaving either by the wayside. We also need to highlight more women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in everyday life. If girls and women start seeing more women in spaces they wish to be part of, they’ll see their ambitions as relatable and achievable, and feel more encouraged to chase their dreams in this regard.”

Educate, mentor and guide 

Despite our progress, there is still much more work to be done; as strange as it may sound, the gender divide in our technology business begins even before girls enter the workforce. “As is the case with many other professions, “technology” still carries many outdated stereotypes, and research indicates that girls are significantly less likely to study technology to consider a career in the sector,” says Dori-Jo Bonner, Strategist at Striata Africa.

Bonner believes this should not be the case, the youth of today has emerged in tech much more than ever before,  from entertainment to education, the next generation is introduced at a young age to technology and all it has to offer.

“What young girls do not learn about are the job prospects available in the technology industry and the important need for women to be acknowledged and make a difference in this space. It is crucial that we educate, mentor, and guide young girls about these options because only through this type of mentoring and guidance can we begin to open doors to so many people whose abilities and talents are so sorely needed right now,” adds Bonner.

Break down barriers

Yes, the gender gap is everywhere. And arguably progress has most definitely been made, but there is still a long road to go.  In particular, the tech industry is exploding, and the number of jobs available is growing. We need to break down barriers by providing mentors and role models who are women in technology to young girls.

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Special Report

The Importance of Encouraging STEM Amongst Young Women

by Women Times on

By Juan Visser, Regional Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Cambridge Assessment International Education

With the unabating advancement in technology and science globally today, it has become increasingly important to encourage young learners to study Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

In recent times, STEM has received considerable attention in Nigeria, primarily owing to the employment gap in this field and the need to expedite and meet the technological developments of the modern time. However, despite so much emphasis being placed on its importance, the adoption of STEM education does face some challenges, including a gap between the number of girls and boys studying these subjects in secondary school.

Data recently released by Cambridge Assessment International Education, suggests that sixteen is the crucial age to encourage young women to pursue STEM. According to the data, while male and female students perform equally during Cambridge IGCSEs, there is a disconnect between what they choose to study after the age of 16.

In Nigeria today, girls are taking more IGCSEs, with many showing an interest in taking up STEM careers. The data indicates that since 2009 more than 15,700 girls have taken STEM IGCSEs/O Levels in the country with 56,800 exam entries from girls in STEM IGCSEs. This could suggest that on average, each female student takes 3-4 STEM courses at IGCSE.

Since 2008, the number of IGCSE entries for STEM courses from female students has risen from 46% to 48% of the total entries. This increase can also be attributed to the government and educators recognising the relevance and importance of STEM education in the development of society. More than ever, education organisations and individuals have reiterated the need for educators to make learning not only fun, but also impactful for students, as well as preparing them for the rigors of higher education.

Women are currently a little underrepresented in industry sectors in Nigeria that require employees to have strong knowledge and skills in the fields of mathematics, physics, chemistry and technology. This is perhaps in part due to social and cultural factors, including cultural beliefs, tradition, the educational background of parents, and religious beliefs.
However, with the increasing need to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need in a technologically advancing world, more schools have integrated STEM education into their curriculum.

Encouraging and inspiring young women to take up STEM
Women have worked on some of the world’s most important scientific discoveries and advances like chemist Rosalind Franklin, whose work on molecular structures was fundamental to the understanding of DNA. In Nigeria, scientific innovations are often male-dominated, however, a number of women have made remarkable contributions and are great role models for young aspiring female scientists and mathematicians. They include Professor Alele-Williams who made her indelible mark in history after becoming the first Nigerian female to earn a Ph.D. in Mathematics, the first female professor of Mathematics and the first female Vice-Chancellor of a university in Nigeria.

Encouraging more young women to study STEM courses and take up careers in STEM is vital if we want to see more pioneers like Alele-Williams and help to address the current imbalance between the number of girls and boys pursuing STEM subjects post 16 in Nigeria.

The Move to Further Education
At Cambridge, the newly released data reinforces that the run-up to post-16 education is the crucial moment to encourage new generations of female scientists, engineers, programmers, and mathematicians.

For example, while studying Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science, male and female students have historically achieved equal success on both the programming task – similar to coursework – and the exam. Any stereotypes formed about the type of student who succeeds at these courses are quickly broken when considering the equality of the results students achieve in their exams. The challenge is encouraging young women to overcome the stereotypes about science and mathematics and choose these courses in the first place.

Globally, nearly two-thirds of male and female students take STEM courses at Cambridge IGCSE. Yet, at Cambridge International A Level, when many have the choice of which three or four subjects they want to focus their studies on, we see quite a drop in the number of STEM subject entries by female students. Currently only 27% of female students taking STEM subjects at IGCSE go on to study a STEM course at A Level.

Many female students choose to focus on other Cambridge International A Level subjects, while the proportion of male students studying STEM remains steady. The situation does vary from country to country, but the international outlook shows there is still a way to go before young women pursue STEM Cambridge International A Levels in equal numbers to young men.

Ensuring STEM Syllabuses are Interesting and Balanced

We recognise that the content of our syllabuses plays an important part in whether young people choose to continue studying particular subjects beyond IGCSE. Designing interesting maths and science syllabuses, which incorporate a range of topics that can be explored in depth at A Level and help students to develop core skills, is really important if we want to encourage more young people, across both genders, to study STEM courses beyond 16, and attract them into STEM careers.

Making choices about what to study post 16, is often the first point at which young women feel empowered to choose a STEM pathway, as the right courses offer a rewarding mix of challenge and satisfaction. Since 2009, there have been more than two million entries from young women across the world for Cambridge IGCSE STEM courses, and they represent about 30% of total entries across all subjects. Rigorous IGCSE and A Level courses and globally recognised assessments help prepare students for bright careers in science and mathematics.

It is also important that we ensure assessments for our qualifications provide equal opportunities to achieve for all students – regardless of background or gender. When we develop exam papers for international students, we ensure the content is fair, can be understood universally, and that it avoids bias and cultural differences. Making sure we use neutral context settings within papers is really important so that any scenarios and questions are as relatable and appropriate for all students.

Success for All
For us all to continue to advance and develop new global technologies and innovations in every industry sector, we need to continue to educate and encourage the best scientists and mathematicians. It is therefore essential that we continue to encourage young people, both male and female, to study STEM courses beyond 16 and attract them to pursue STEM careers in the future.

At Cambridge International, we recognise there is still a gap between the number of female students taking STEM courses post 16 and their male peers. It is therefore vital that we continue to do everything we can to break down any long-standing stereotypes associated with STEM subjects at Cambridge International A Level and encourage more young women to choose these subjects.

We can do this in many ways, from recognising and rewarding young scientists; promoting the work of successful women scientists and mathematicians; and ensuring STEM qualifications remain interesting, relevant and an attractive choice for all students regardless of their gender.

 

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Special Report

Nigeria TechWomen Alumni Empower 30 Girls in STEM Fields

by Women Times on

U.S. government exchange alumni are at the forefront of promoting STEM education and implementing programs to encourage Nigerian women and girls to pursue studies and careers in tech fields.

 

Alumni of the 2021 U.S. government sponsored TechWomen program on Monday concluded a STEM mentoring program called, “EduChamps” for 30 adolescent girls from African Church Grammar School, Ibadan.

Supported by the U.S. government, the program provided mentorship and skills training for girls to explore careers and business opportunities in STEM.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the program, U.S. Consulate Deputy Public Affairs Officer Jennifer Foltz said it was imperative for young girls to have access to mentors from a range of fields who can help them gain skills and boost their confidence to consider higher education and careers in STEM.

She noted that “EduChamps” is one of the U.S. government’s initiatives to engage underserved communities, ensure gender parity, and provide women and girls with opportunities to contribute to creating sustainable and inclusive economic prosperity.

“STEM education is the key foundation for any country’s economic success,” Foltz said. “We are excited to support this initiative that serves as an inspiration for young girls to consider STEM subjects in their future careers in order to solve global challenges.”

Damilola Asaleye, a TechWomen Fellow, said drawing more girls into tech will help close the gender gap in the STEM fields. “With EduChamps, we are taking action to improve inclusiveness and narrow the gender gap in the STEM field,” she added.

Through the “EduChamps” initiative, the TechWomen fellows provided career counseling to the high school girls focusing on opportunities in the technology sector such as upcycling, automotive engineering, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and space science.

The students also received educational supplies such as school bags, school uniforms, textbooks, exercise books, writing materials and sanitary pads to encourage them to stay in school.

More broadly, the United States has invested millions of dollars to directly advance gender equality across sub-Saharan Africa, through activities that promote opportunities for women, access to health and education services, and efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

In 2011, the U.S. government introduced the TechWomen program to empower the next generation of women leaders in the technology field.  This exchange program brings together women in Northern California with their counterparts in the Middle East, Central Asia, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, for a professional mentorship at leading technology companies in the United States.

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Special Report

Pastor Mrs Folu Adeboye- Every woman should build her home with wisdom

by Women Times on

Wife of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, pastor Mrs Folu Adeboye have said every woman should build her home with wisdom.

Pastor Mrs Folu Adeboye said this in the annual Women in Ministry Conference themed The Ever Increasing Christian Woman,held today Saturday 12th February 2022 across every redeemed Christian church of God parishes world wide.

She Said for every woman to increase ” you must accept Jesus Christ as your personal life and saviour, It is a good thing to increase; if Jesus can increase, it is good for us to increase”

While buttressing on increase, she said ” before a woman can increase, a woman must build her home with wisdom, Deborah, Esther, Abigail her good examples in the bible”

She further said” to grow in stature is to grow in maturity. Because Jesus grow in stature, He was able to go ahead of people, even in the temple, He was teaching with authority”

PasTor Folu said” As a woman in RCCG, you must grow in knowledge, intelligently”

In her teaching, she highlighted how Jesus did increase by saying” Jesus was obedient even to the in the cross. So women should be obedient so they can be promoted”

She further stated that ” Jesus was diligent, so women should be diligent n their works. Deborah is a good example. She was a Judge over a Nation, she was able to judge Isreal for 40 years. If a woman is lazy, she can not find favour from the Lord. Doing what you should for your house hold, preparing for people that lives with you, this is what we call diligence.”

She further by saying” to find favour from God, you must meditate day and night, you will flourish when you meditate in the word of God, Jesus was humble. As a woman, we should humble. Humility will help us to say the will of God will be done in our lives. Humility must be your watchword. It must be part of our lives. We need to humble ourselves. The saviour of the world humbled himself”

She said that ” if you want the favour, you must live a Holy life. Hebrew 1:9. You must resist temptation. Abide in the word, so the word can justify you. Our faith must increase in daily basis. We can not please God without faith. Manage your faith by surrendering to God. Let’s have faith in God. Believe in the will of God. God is a rewarder of those that have faith in God.”

She further said” prayer is important. While we have a prayer of Thanksgiving, it opens doors for other blessings. Jesus taught us to give. When you give, you have increasing wealth. Give out things, so you can have favour from God. Live in an ever increasing life. It is a good thing to find favour with God. When you find favour from God,you will surely find favour with Man.”

She echoed that ” if you do not increase, yo will decrease. Never you think you have arrived. You must increase in growth and in stature.”

Pastor Mrs Folu Adeboye Concluded by saying” once you are in Lord’s side, He will increase our in Stature and in all spheres.”

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Special Report

Child’s Care Tips Every Mother Should Know

by Women Times on

Being a mother is not an easy task and no mother is perfect. Kids share a unique bond with their mothers. A good parent always make decisions for their kids best interest and what makes a child happy. They must always keep this in mind that a child will copy their actions and will incorporate it in their life. Hence, parents are very powerful figure in a child health care and development.

Mothers play a major role in promoting physical, emotional and social development of a child.

Here are few Parenting Tips that will help you raise a happy child:

Be a happy person yourself

Parents should worry less and be mindful because stress will not only impact them, but their child’s mental health too. Being a happy person will leave a positive impact on your child. Keep in mind, they will always try to imitate you.

Pay attention to your child

It is very important for parents to communicate with their kids. Talk to them and pay full attention when they speak to you. Encourage them by responding in a thoughtful manner. Give them explanations and suggestions if they need it.

Eat together

A family that eats together, stays together. Families should have frequent meals together. This is a great way to spend some quality time with your children. Also, research says that a child is less likely to develop any bad habit like smoking or drinking if they have regular meals with parents.

Play outdoor sports with your child

In the era of iPad gaming, prefer playing some outdoor sports with your child. Outdoor activity plays a crucial role in the development of children’s growth. Playing outdoor sports will also reduce your child’s TV time. You can also bond with your child by reading books together.

Do not yell at your child

There is a better way to handle a situation if your child makes a mistake. Instead of shouting at them, you should speak to your child and understand their feelings too. Teach them how they should apologize if a mistake is been made by them. Also, teach them to forgive others mistake and never to hold any grudges against people.

Be a good role model

Children learn by watching their parents and hence you must model traits like respect, kindness and honesty. Teach them golden words ‘sorry and thank you’ and do not show any selfish trait in front of them. Explain them how important it is to be kind and ask them not to say any hurtful things to others.

Show them your love

Your child might develop a feeling of being unloved if you confront them. Hence, it is very important to express your guidance in a right manner. Avoid blaming or criticizing your child. Explain your opinions to them gracefully and tell that you love them no matter what.

Make time for your kids

Working parents often find it difficult to spend time with their kids. You must understand that your child needs time and attention. You can plan a trip on an off day or take them for shopping to the nearest market.Apart from these Parenting Tips, you must also keep in mind what makes a child happy. It is a myth that only material possessions keep a child in a good mood. Pets, hobbies, arts, sports, outing and achievements can also bring out happiness in them. It is always smaller things that brings out happiness in your child, as small as a candy or a chocolate bar because their happiness is not elusive in nature.

Here is a list of few things that can bring a smile on your child’s face and can answer your query of what makes a child happy:

Animals

Children love watching animals they have read about in comics or watched in cartoons. Parents can add pets like dogs, cats, horses or birds to their family. Your child will love playing and spending time with these animals.

Dance and music

Kids love to listen music and enjoy dancing. It gives pleasure and makes them extremely happy. Research says that singing a song or dancing refreshes their mind and makes them active.

Exploring new places

You should take some time out of your routine and plan a trip or outing with your child. It is a great way by which he can explore nature and learn about surroundings. Travel him with new places and let him explore different things present around him. Solve his doubts and queries related to such things.

Fun in water

Kids love playing during bath or in a pool. It is a good form of exercise which is also helpful for their physical development. It is among the favourite activity that a child likes to do during a day. You can also take them near to a beach or a river.

Sweets

We all know that children are fond of chocolates and icecreams. Although you should not spoil them by giving them sugary food every other day, yet you can let them eat desserts, chocolates or ice creams at a regular or fixed time interval.There is absolutely no doubt in this fact that child health care and development is utmost priority for parents.

Want to know how to raise your child who turns out to be healthy and successful in future? Consider these child care tips for parent to keep your child healthy:

Child’s hygiene

A good personal hygiene for your kid is extremely important as it leads to a boost in their self-esteem and confidence. They can come in exposure with millions of germs throughout their day. Hence, children should keep themselves clean in order to stay healthy. Personal hygiene for a child include bathing, brushing their teeth, washing their hands and many more. Parents are responsible for teaching hygiene to their child to prevent them from illness.

Child’s sleep schedule

A bedtime routine is very important for your child since sleep is important for their mental growth and development. A good 8-10 hours of sleep helps your child fight infections and diseases by strengthening the immune system. They should go to bed on time in order to be more settled and ready for the next day at school. Taking a quick nap during day time is also beneficial for a child health care.

Having said that, it is not easy for a parent to develop healthy eating habits in their child. You have to always encourage your child to eat a balanced diet. Here is the list of few healthy eating tips for kids that parents can follow while preparing their child’s diet plan:

Never skip breakfast

Good eating habits should be developed at a very young age and mothers must ensure that her kid never skip breakfast. Skipping breakfast can slow down the metabolism of your child and weakens their immune system.

Eating healthy snacks

A common misconception in people’s mind is that ‘kid food’ is ‘fun food’. However, most of these foods are processed using chemicals and have zero nutritional value. Such food items should not be included in kid’s diet. A health care professional can also assist child’s parents to prepare a complete diet plan that should consist of healthy snacks and not just ‘fun food’.

Drink plenty of water

Drinking plenty of water is very important for your child as it helps in flushing out toxins from the body. You can also prepare fresh fruit juice and milk shakes for them occasionally. Milk shakes are a great way to include dry fruits such as almonds, date and walnuts in the diet plan of your child. You can also add some chocolate powder to make it attractive for kids.

Fruits

Your kid should be encouraged to eat fresh fruits instead of canned juices, made up of artificial sugars. Fruits are rich source of vitamins and dietary fiber and should be consumed on daily basis. It is very rightly said that ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’. A balanced diet plays a key role in the development of your child’s growth and development and enhances the physical and mental well-being of your kid.

If your kid is under-nourished, he could face long term problems in his life. Hence, parents must be very particular about diet plans for kids and should try to include good eating habits for their better health and lifestyle.

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Special Report

Female Politicians, The Media And Victim Mentality

by Women Times on

By Nnedinnso Ogaziechi

The Nigerian general election is a few months away and the permutations are on a high pitch. The advocacy for gender equity is everywhere you turn. Nigeria presently has a very low male-female ratio in the political space. The reasons are not farfetched. Modern democracy in Africa is an offshoot of colonial governance that was mainly a male affair.

Africa originally practiced dual governance in ways that there was no need to agitate for political equity even though socio-culturally and religiously the issues were there. African system of leadership to a large extent had roles cut out for the genders and there was no usurping each other’s roles. However, with colonial governance and the introduction of mainly male leadership by the west, Africa was set for a downward spiral of cultural values that had political leadership implications.

The post-independent military and civilian leaderships in most African countries have seen less gender representation even though progress is steadily being made to include more women in leadership in Africa. Rwanda seems to have circumstantially set the pace for the world with the highest percentage of women in parliament, a global record at about 61%. The progress that the nation has made in post 1994 genocide has amazed the world as the country is now a business and tourism hub in Africa.

Other African countries like Liberia, Malawi, Tanzania etc., have records of female Presidents, Heads of government or Prime Ministers. However, Nigeria seems to be in dire straits when it comes to gender equity. The Nigerian democracy since independence has largely been a largely male affair. However a few women have been in the field at elective positions few as they are.

The political party electoral processes seem to structurally exclude a lot of women from successfully participating in politics. This is in addition to other socio-cultural, economic and religious huddles the women face in the Nigerian society.

However, a few women have been involved in politics at least since the return of democracy in 1999. The number of women has been abysmally low but there have been women in the political parties at Board of Trustees, National/State Executive and ward levels. There have also been women elected as deputy governors, legislators and other official positions.

The Roundtable Conversation has been observing and noticed that women like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, late Dora Akunyili, Oby Ezekwesili (madam due process), Amina Mohammed, Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa’I, Chief Nike Akande etc. all performed creditably in their different appointive positions and are today reference points.

The question the Roundtable Conversation is asking remains, what have most of the elected women especially in the legislative arm at both state and federal levels done to impact on fellow women and the country in general, are the excuses about male domination in politics enough reason to not have some level of impactful achievements in national development? Do the women have to outnumber men first to have their impact felt?

The Roundtable Conversation has been tracking some of the women politicians. Some of them are too comfortable in their comfort zones, some are too triumphant to care, some have made some little impact but a lot of them tend to blame the media for not giving them enough coverage. True or false? We spoke to some top journalists in the country’s electronic and print media.
Juliet Bumah is a veteran journalist and the Editor of New Telegraph. She finds that excuse of lack of media coverage as very puerile and laughable because the media looks for content and news. If your actions are newsworthy, it is to the benefit of the media. The media does not report itself, in fact their existence is subsumed in their duties to the public in a democracy. “we can’s report ourselves, newsworthy actions attract the media” she said. When they have any event and invite the media, the media would be there. It is actually the female politicians that take the media for granted and do not reach out the way they should.

Media houses either have pages or airtime to fill. As a woman in the media, it is a thing of joy to report the activities of fellow women in all fields not only in politics because my belief is that the voices of women must be heard more. No one can hear you when you are in your room. You must engage and you do not need to personally know anyone in the media for your story to be heard but you must speak before you are heard. Your actions make news.

As a female journalist, my experience is that most of the female politicians seem to have an erroneous view about the media. There is that sense of entitlement that their existence is enough, no, it is not. You must be valuably engaging. You must be knowledgeable about what roles you are playing in a democracy. It is not about you, it is about your activities that impact positively on the people and it is not about payments. Even the citizens would report your actions if they are positively impactful.

Juliet again advises that women in or going into politics must be versatile enough to engage in debates and arguments. If you are a legislator, you must know your onions and be ready to use your voice in one of the pillars of democracy, the legislature. You must be smart and engage aides that can assist you to research, articulate and present your points on the floor. Sadly most women just sit there expecting miracles to happen and later blame the media.
She believes most women in politics adopt acute victim mentality. They are rather victims of their own shortcomings and values, of not doing enough to learn and engage as politicians but feeling that just being there is enough news, no its not. Most of them do not engage the media because they are scared of exposing their intellectual shortcomings which could be solved by them learning the ropes more as elected people. Flaunting femininity for whatever reason can never confer excellence and the female politicians should know that.

Improve your knowledge and realize you have to be super active and knowledgeable to compete favourable with the men. The men are not exceptional but they have the numbers. Women should be more connected with the people.

The Editor of The Guardian newspapers, Alaba Williams believes the female politicians should not pass the buck. Their underperformance in most cases is a result of personal choices and not necessarily lack of media coverage. To start with, like most male politicians, the females are from the same society and most politicians actually do not start off as advocates of social change in the civil space. So, more of than not, that inner passion to push for effective changes do not come naturally to them.
According to Williams, a few women who were or are in the civil rights movements often carry their activism into politics. They come off more passionate and pushy.

Women like late Margaret Ekpo, Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, Gambo Sawaba (even with her little education was able to push through and write her name in gold). Women like Nkoyo Toyo and Ladi Lar were able to reach out because they understood the value of being very active and powerfully articulate in making their points for good governance as activists before venturing into politics.

Again, many female politicians are very fixated with either their communities and regions. They rarely get involved in national issues especially outside politics. Most of the women are too conscious of their political parties and tend to alienate themselves from other people unlike the men that play politics without borders most of the time. Some of the women again concentrate on buying gifts for their fellow women in a bid to buy loyalty without really empowering them in any way. We would want them to mentor and educate more women about their civil and gender rights and by doing so get more women to participate. Democracy is a game of numbers and the men seem to understand this better.

The women rather than expend energy blaming the media must try to be more inclusive of other women. They should train them and get them to understand their voting rights. They must be accommodating of other views. The women are the voters and the female politicians must begin to organize better and restrategize.

Sometimes the female politicians misplace their priorities. They can spend money on politically expedient actions like giving some production items to a few widows and other women as elections approach but they would be the first to scream they do not have money to organize trainings or empower other younger women to boost the number of women in politics or even other male youths around the country. Women must work better together to empower each other so that more capable women can enter the political space and effect the changes we would all benefit from.

The Roundtable Conversation understands the handicaps of female politicians in a patriarchal society like Nigeria. However, the excuses for non-optimal and functional performances by the few women already there must give way to more progress. They must stop playing the victim card because the mandate givers are not men alone but the people. Their strategies must change.

Populist strategies like weaponizing widows by always claiming to take care of them or flaunting femininity must stop. Democracy is about the whole people and their welfare.
The media is not the problem of female politicians or anyone for that matter, it is about the sole of democracy and even women must be held accountable. We spoke to more than a dozen journalists and the responses point to a demographic of a voting population that have largely been let down by the few women in politics through inaction and victim-playing to get by and not be held accountable.

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