Women’s political participation in Nigeria remains low despite the fact that women make up almost half of the estimated 211 million population. In a bid to boost women participation in the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo state, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) as part of the Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) project took its sensitisation campaign to the states; our correspondent reports.
The issue of gender disparity in political representation remains a formidable challenge.
Available statistics show that overall political representation of women in elective and appointive positions is less than 7%. efforts persist by political stakeholders to amplify female voices in making and enforcing decisions within their society.
In political appointments, female ministers account for only 15.91% of the current President Bola Tinubu-led-administration’s 48-member ministerial office holders.
During the 2023 general elections, women’s representation declined, with only 1,544 women candidates out of a total of 15,269 candidates.
Also, in the current National Assembly, women constitute 5.6% of members of the House of Representatives and 6.5% of Senators.
Notably, Nigeria has never had a female president, vice president, or state governor. The highest number of female deputy governors elected in a single election was 6 out of 36 seats in 2007.
Similarly, at the local government level, there is also a wide gap between men and women elected as chairpersons and councillors in the 774 local governments.
Going by the final list of candidates for the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states as published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) only one party in Edo, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has a female candidate out of the 18 political parties contesting in the elections in both states. The PRP Candidate, Patience Ndidi, is the sole female candidate on the list.
NAWOJ Initiative
Against this backdrop, the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), recently, partnered with the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) and the Women In Politics Forum (WIPF) to address this gender disparity head-on.
The trio organised the Town Hall meetings with the theme: “Engaging Grassroots Women for Robust Political Participation,” targeted at increasing grassroots women’s participation in politics in anticipation of the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states, respectively.
These meetings were crafted to educate, mobilise, and empower women at the local government level to ensure they understood their roles in the electoral process and were equipped to actively engage in political activities.
Supported by ActionAid Nigeria and funded by Global Affairs Canada, the public discussions were also aimed at bridging the gender gap in Nigerian politics through comprehensive advocacy.
Setting The Stage In Benin City
The Town Hall meeting in Benin City, Edo state, witnessed a large turnout of women from various walks of life and backgrounds, as well as representatives from civil society organisations, professional women groups, and associations despite the early morning showers.
Groups represented, beside the partners, include: Joint Network of People with Disability (JONAPWD), INEC, Girls Guide, Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Market Women, and Federation of Muslim Women’s Association (FOMWAN).
The event provided a platform for women to share experiences, challenges, and successes in politics.
Imperatives Of Participation
Speaking during the meeting, the National President, NAWOJ, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, emphasized the importance of women’s participation in politics and governance.
She explained that the format for the Town Hall meeting was informal and participants were free to speak in any Nigerian language of their choice; just as he assured that their messages would not be lost in the interpretation.
The president, who was represented by NAWOJ Vice Chairperson, Zone D, and Focal Person for WVL, Comrade Chizoba Ogbeche, noted that women must begin to lay the foundation for future elections by using the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo state as a benchmark.
“As the state is preparing for election, we want women to encourage participation notwithstanding the obstacles they faced in the past. Women should know that we can’t stop participating in the electoral processes if we want things to change. Like they say: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. This is our own first step. There is a thousand more to go, but if we don’t start with the first step, we will not get to that one thousand.
“So, what we are doing today is laying the foundation for women to understand that we need to keep moving, notwithstanding whatever is trying to stop us,” Ibrahim said.
The national president, who refuted the claim that women don’t support fellow women, encouraged women not to relent in contesting political positions just like the men because some of the men who are in elected positions have contested many times before they finally won their elections.
“We must bear in mind that even the men, some of them who are holding offices, it took time, they did not just come up. Some of them have run for offices multiple times before they eventually emerge except for a few who have had a godfather.
“So, why can’t women be godmothers? We are also preaching the need for women in positions of authority to mentor other women, that is what godfather politics means. There is a need to mentor other women, especially the young women in politics,” Ibrahim added.
INEC Backs NAWOJ
On his part, the Edo state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Austin Okojie, shed light on the commission’s efforts to ensure gender involvement, including the establishment of Gender Desks in all states and training officers on women’s issues.
The REC, who was represented by the Public Affairs Officer of the Commission, Toyin Olayiwola, maintained that the commission was committed to increased participation of women in politics while maintaining a level playground for all political actors.
No To Feminisation Of Poverty
Also, speaking on behalf of the WIPF, a one-time House of Representative aspirant, Barr. Faith Obasuyi, emphasized that poverty remained a significant barrier to women participation and advocated for economic empowerment for women.
While sharing her experience during the primary elections, Barr Obasuyi decried the fact that many women encouraged her and pledged their support for her emergence during the campaigns. They did not vote for her during the election.
She also bemoaned the low representation of women in the political parties, a situation that is reflected by the near absence of women as delegates during party primary elections.
She urged more women to join political parties of their choice at the ward levels in order to increase their chances of participating in decision making. However, she urged that women should vote female aspirants notwithstanding their parties.
Similarly, Chairperson NILOWV, Edo state, Anthonia Asagba, encouraged women to be driven by ideas and actively participate in politics.
In the same vein, the NAWOJ Vice President, Zone F (South-south), Stella Macaulay, urged the Edo women to vote wisely in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
“It doesn’t matter how full you are now. Hunger will come when that food digests and you have to eat again. What am I saying? Whatever you collect from them because they need you to vote for them will not last for the next four years.
“Therefore, you must pay attention to the candidates. You must look at the manifestoes and see the ones that resonate with you,” she stated.
Men Rally Support
Likewise, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo state Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, stressed the importance of women’s involvement in nation-building
Alenkhe, who was represented by the Council Secretary, Comrade Andy Egbon, lauded NAWOJ and her partners for putting together the event to sensitise the women in Edo state on why they should come out in their numbers to cast their votes for candidates of their choice in the forthcoming election.
Women Helping Women
Also speaking, the Chairperson, NAWOJ, Edo state Chapter, Comrade Adesuwa Ehimuan, admonished women against joining campaign of calumny, especially against their fellow women who, against all odd decide to run for political offices at any level.
She said, “I encourage us all to be political actors rather than spectators. Come out enmasse and exercise your civic right.
“Kindly stop joining in campaigns of calumny against fellow women but team up with them in attaining their political aspirations, which, in the long run, will benefit all.”
Case For Inclusion
Some of the participants, who also spoke, commended the Association for organising the Town Hall meeting, and they noted that it would have yielded more fruits if it had been held earlier.
For the Chairperson, Joint Network of People with Disability (JONAPWD), Madam Anne Ojugo, there was a need to include the vulnerable group in all planning and projections regarding women empowerment and political participation.
She decried the fact that members of the network were rarely involved in similar programmes that could be beneficial to them.
While sharing her experience as regards participating and electoral processes, she bemoaned the fact that most venues for political party rallies and even polling units are not disability-friendly, which discourages many members of the network from participating actively.
She appealed to the INEC representative to convey the message to the leadership of the commission in Edo state and Abuja for future elections.
Train Berths In Akure
In the same vein, the Town Hall meeting in Akure, Ondo state, witnessed and even more impressive turn out. Thanks to the clement weather women from various sectors, including CSOs, NGOs, market women, artisans, faith-based organisation, and even the Labour Union, turned out to lend their voices to the discourse.
Other groups represented include members of FOMWAN, female transporters, and gender rights groups, among others.
Grassroots As Key
For Comrade Ibrahim, demonstrating the commitment of NAWOJ to empowering women, urged women in Ondo state to endeavour to take up leadership roles, not only in governance but also other fora.
Comrade Ibrahim, who also represented NAWOJ Vice President, North Central, pledged that NAWOJ would continue to work towards building the capacity of women through enlightenment and advocacy.
She urged women not to be discouraged by the poor outing in the run up to the forthcoming governorship election in the state, noting that preparations for the next elections had already started and women should not be left behind.
Speaking on behalf of NILOWV, Omotomilewa Olamousi charged women to ensure they go out to register during preparation for elections because that is the only way to guarantee that they can vote and influence the outcome of any election.
Olamousi noted that though the political stage appears to be hostile and volatile, women should not be intimidated. According to her, they should get involved at the grassroots and gradually grow to the top. This she said would prepare them for the challenges they may encounter at the higher stages.
Case For Mentorship
In her submission, the Coordinator, WIPF and former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Ondo state, Dr Yemi Mahmood, encouraged women to take up politics as a career, especially with the advent of a female political academy that teaches them the basics of politics.
She harped on the need for mentoring, arguing that there was nothing stopping women who are already politically exposed playing the role of godmothers to women aspiring to run for elections and occupy political offices.
Women As Changemakers
Also speaking, the NAWOJ Vice President Zone B (South-west), Comrade Adeola Adekunle, maintained that if women, especially those with firsthand knowledge of community needs, were actively involved in politics then more government policies would be in favour of women and other vulnerable members of the society.
On his part, the Chairman, NUJ Ondo state Council, Prince Leke Adegbite, made a case for increased empowerment for female women including female journalists in the state, through training ahead of the November 16, 2024 governorship election in the state.
He pledged commitment to full coverage of women activities regardless of the circumstances.
Hostile Terrain
Also, speaking, the Chairperson, NAWOJ Ondo state Chapter, Comrade Tola Gbadamosi, assured that the Town Hall meeting had built the capacity of women to understand their roles in political participation for adequate representation.
Participants at the meeting, including Mrs. Evelyn Pius, and Mrs. Toun Aribisala, who spoke passionately, lamented the fact that it was becoming difficult for women to compete favourably with their male counterpart in the political arena due to financial constraints and other societal issues which are to the advantage of men.
Way Forward
The Town Hall meetings in Edo and Ondo states marked significant milestones in the quest for women’s political empowerment in Nigeria.
These events demonstrated the collective resolve of women to take their rightful place in the political sphere and contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
Expectation is that the voices of women would be heard and would be crucial in shaping the future of both states.
Edo, Ondo Polls: When NAWOJ Engaged Women For Robust Participation is first published on The Whistler Newspaper