Bomba Dauda
Stakeholders, women leaders and development partners have called for increased inclusion of women in leadership and governance at the Southern Kaduna Trailblazing Women Association (SOKATWA) Summit and Fundraising held on Sunday in Kafanchan, Kaduna State.
Speaking as Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Jerry Adams stressed that empowering women remains central to building a just and progressive society, noting that women play a critical role in shaping character within families and communities. He commended the organisers for assembling a high-profile gathering of women leaders and urged participants to remain focused, determined and undeterred by humble beginnings.
Comrade Jerry Adams
Earlier, the President of SOKATWA, Mrs. Belinda Augustine Istifanus, described the summit as a defining and mission-driven engagement aimed at repositioning women as key actors in leadership and governance. She said the association was established to support, empower and advance women across all spheres of life, with particular emphasis on political participation and leadership.
Mrs. Belinda Augustine Istifanus
Mrs. Istifanus observed that despite their numerical strength and capacity, women’s participation in politics in Southern Kaduna remains low, largely due to limited political awareness at the grassroots. She noted that SOKATWA had chosen action over lamentation and leadership over silence, declaring the association’s resolve to drive a generational shift that would guarantee women a rightful voice and visibility in public life.
Delivering the 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 timely and inspiring. She encouraged women to take ownership of their futures, define the impact they wish to make and work deliberately towards leaving lasting legacies. She also called on men to consistently support women in their aspirations and urged participants not to lose hope in their pursuit of a better future.
Mrs. Abigail Sunday Marshall Katung
In his remarks as Father of the Day, Mr. Abdulmalik Durunguwa cautioned the association against partisan politics and tribal divisions, urging members to remain united and focused on their core objectives. Similarly, Mr. Simon Reef Musa described Southern Kaduna women as resilient and resourceful, calling on them to pursue shared goals and build bridges across communities to attract development and strengthen unity.
Alhaji Mohammed Durungwa
The summit ended with a call for sustained mentorship, strategic partnerships and collective support from both women and men to translate SOKATWA’s vision into measurable impact across Southern Kaduna.
