Women Poised to Assume Greater Roles(2)
Friday 9th November 2007

In any developing country there would always be strong and willing women supporting from the background. It is progress for a nation that is blessed to have such women serving as the brains behind of every success, and this is why they should be given more priority in all sectors including participation in presidential elections. In the latter regard we have witnessed the example of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia excelling from assumption of office, and still doing well. This week has been a very joyous one for every woman, as we have another competing female candidate, who stood for president in Argentina and swept the polls convincingly. Christina Fernandez de Kirchner is the first lady of Argentina’s former president, Nester Kircher. She had an unassailable lead with 44.6 percent of the votes. According to the News we gathered from the internet, Cristina’s  nearest rival, former lawmaker Elisa Carrio, has admitted her defeat, trailing at 22.6 percent of the votes. Mrs. Kirchner will succeed her husband Nester Kirchner and become Argentina’s first elected lady president. “We have won by a wide margin, but this far from putting us in a position of privilege, puts us instead in a position of greater responsibilities and obligations,” she told her supporters. We have fought poverty and unemployment and all the tragedies that have hit Argentines, she said, referring to the country’s recovery from the 2001 economic crash. Another strong and committed woman, Elisa Carrio also performed well in the capital Buenos Aires, securing 23 percent of the overall votes. This is a proud moment for every woman, hence these substantive women (Cristina and her nearest rival, Elisa Carrio) had performed better than their male counterpart Roberto Lavagna, and pulling a real surprise. I think these two ladies have set the record to the entire world. People of Argentina are among the best who give priority to women and empower them. The world should emulate the people of Argentina like wise women of the other countries should also follow the footsteps of Cristina and her nearest rival Elisa. Women are urged to come out in their thousands and contest not only for local government or parliamentary but also for presidential elections., Although in The Gambia we have a president who empowers women and girls to the highest  level, I guess it is time now nevertheless for women also to show their talents: it is better to be shown how to fish than be given fish every day. Although we have some talented women who are out and are contributing enormously to their national development, recent examples like three Gambian women, Na Wadda Ceesay former acting Solicitor General at the Attorney General’s Chambers, Mrs. Ngui Mboob Janneh former   Judicial Secretary, and Mrs. Saffiatou Njai former Master of the high court, elevated to high court judges, represents another land mark in women’s contribution to development. Every citizen owes his or her nation a duty in doing this duty. One should be serious about it as that will take one to higher heights. This nation should work together as one, encourage each other, men to give chance to women, nominate them for various candidacies and be rest assured thereby of a healthy, resilient and progressive nation.