A frontline governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, has described the role of women in the society as pivotal to the advancement of the society at large.

Obaze who spoke at the 2017 Women’s Forum organised by the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, G.R.A, Awka, said that though the man is the head of the family, the role women play in shaping the society ought to be better cherished and appreciated.

“The man is the head of the family. A woman is also a critical part of the family. They both have their roles to play, but there is no society that can advance without the valued role of women,” Obaze stated.

He observed that women, as the people who raise children, have the values of the society rested on them adding that children mostly take on the norms and values handed down to them at home by the women.

The former SSG who was raised by a widowed mother after his father died during the civil war, attributed all his achievements in life to the training and nurture he got from her.

He added: “I’m a product of a woman’s tutelage. So if people consider that I'm good, it is because of the woman who raised me.”

According to him, having more women in positions of authority is not only right on the grounds of fairness, inclusion and equity, but it makes more room for robustness, competitiveness and increased creativity.

He said he will unveil his plans for Anambra State when the campaign starts, but gave a hint that his government, if elected come November 18, will have a 60/40 gender parity ratio.

Responding to question on wife battery, Obaze condemned the practice is wrong saying that it should be condemned saying: “It is totally unacceptable. There is no reason for a man to lift up a finger against another person, talk more of his wife.”

The retired diplomat further advocated for the imprisonment of any man found guilty of beating his wife.