Coalition Says Women Political Stimulation would Stimulate Diverse Perspectives, Empower Communities

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Coalition of Women Political Participation Partner’s Working Group is calling for constitutional gender inclusion to drive women’s political participation necessary for diverse perspectives in decision-making and the promotion of good governance.
During a meeting to brainstorm on actions that should be evolved to ensure gender equality in political representation in the country, the group said women’s political participation would stimulate diverse perspectives and empower communities.

At the coordination and strategy meeting on affirmative action reforms to increase women’s political representation in the ongoing constitution review process in Abuja, supported by the United Nations Women, the President of Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), Ms. Ebere Ifendu, stressed the need for affirmative action to strengthen advocacies and to effectively influence policymakers in the ongoing constitution review to promote women’s political participation.

She said: “The Nigeria’s constitution review presents a unique opportunity to rectify the underrepresentation of women in politics. We must seize this moment to create a more inclusive democracy, harnessing the potential of all citizens, regardless of gender.
“As advocates, we believe that affirmative action is an important tool to address past injustices and ensure fair representation of women in the political landscape. We need more participation of women in politics.

“We need a quota system. We need affirmative action because for all the countries that have a certain percentage of women in governance, it is due to legislation. Without legislation, we may not achieve anything.”
She added that the meeting was to coordinate all efforts, including advocacy for the adoption and enactment of reforms to boost women’s political representation in the constitution review process.
“The current constitutional review process presents a unique opportunity to incorporate gendered affirmative action reforms into Nigeria’s legal framework, demonstrating a commitment to equity, equality, and inclusivity,” Ifendu said.

She added that: “As Nigerian women, we went to court and got a judgment on the National Gender Policy. We are saying that since there is a judgment, we should begin to work on implementation and be able to demand the implementation of the court order.
“We heard that the government has appealed. We have not received any notice of such an appeal. So, we want to believe that the law, as we speak today, is that the gender policy must be respected, and it’s talking about 35 percent affirmative action.”

On her part, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and women’s advocate, Professor Joy Ezeilo, said it is time to have total inclusion that accommodates and recognizes the rights of women, youths, and persons with disabilities to participate and be included in governance and decision-making in the country.

She said: “We are so behind other countries. So, what are we talking about that we cannot operationalize 35 or 30 percent? And we are still talking about something below? Women should not accept anything below 35 percent of political positions.

“We went to Beijing in 1995 and it was agreed that at least 30 percent affirmative action be given to us over 25 years ago. We have to find a way that this constitution becomes inclusive while addressing other problems in Nigeria.

“There is also the issue of justice, fairness, and equity in the application of resources for the greater benefit of all Nigerians. So, it is time to take action to rectify these wrongs of the past and these structural inequalities and discrimination against women.”

The former Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Mrs.  Ene Obi alongside the Director of Planning and Statistics at the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development,  Jummai-Idonije,
emphasized the need to engage the legislature, media, grassroots women, and other stakeholders to increase women’s political representation.

They also called for collaboration and commitment from women politicians to increase the number of women in leadership positions.

The stakeholders urged the 10th National Assembly to operationalize the 35 percent affirmative action, as observed in other countries and in line with international standards, to promote equity, fairness, and justice.

The  coordination and strategy meeting, supported by UN Women is to unify efforts among diverse organisations to establish a coordinated programmatic approach that leverages the strengths and resources of each participating organisation towards a common goal in advocating for affirmative action reforms to increase women’s political representation