By Angela Atabo
The League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), has expressed worry over the low participation of women in politics and called for urgent measures to address the challenge.
President of NILOWV, Irene Ikyegh, made the call at the group’s inauguration of a new executive council and fund raising programme in Abuja.
Ikyegh said NILOWV was founded in 1996 by Dr Esther Uduehi to help women play a larger role in government and public affairs in Nigeria in consonance with the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action.
She said in the bid to empower women to do more in the governance space, NILOWV intended to construct women’s civic centre intended to be a hub for training and developing women on policy and political participation.
Ikyegh said, “The idea is for younger women desirous of making an impact in partisan politics to learn from the documented experiences of women who have gone ahead of them.
“Though with the ever changing dynamics, it is believed that these younger women would be better able to navigate the political landscape and make faster progress.
“Indeed, policies drive decision making and if gender equity in political participation would be achieved, then women’s capacities must be adequately and sustainably built in the policy making process.
“Economic empowerment remains a critical tool for the realisation of the objectives of any people oriented development initiative.
“Cognizant of this, NILOWV’s motto is “empowering Nigerian women both politically and economically for national development’’.’’
Ikyegh said politics was a resource intensive endeavour, adding, ” If women will actively participate, their economic profiles and capacities should be adequately built and strengthened to enable them mobilise much needed financial resources required for the purpose.”
She, therefore ,said the leadership would explore partnerships to build vocational skills of women, provide them access to business capital and offer them various forms of support to enable them start, grow and sustain entrepreneurial ventures.
“Often times, it is lonely at the top. Women who attain leadership positions are either deserted or they self-isolate by erecting barriers thus, preventing persons who could make valuable contributions to leadership unable to access them.
“ There is thus, the resultant failure of leadership. This leadership will be open to suggestions from all on the best strategies to advance the cause of not only the League, but of women’s participation in political leadership and decision making,’’she said
A representative of UN women,Mr Goremmurs Zephaniah, commended NILOWV for the initiative to commit to supporting women in governance.
Zephaniah said that the measure was a step in the right direction to reverse the worrying trend of the retrogressing data of women in politics as revealed by the 2023 elections.
“Data from 2023 elections shows that Nigeria is retrogressing in terms of women participation in politics,at the national level the percentage stands at four while at the state level it’s at 5.44 per cent.
“This should not dample your spirits,stand strong, collaborate to beat it.’’he said
Mr Benjamin Kalu , Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives ,said the establishment of NILOWV was a testament to the indomitable spirit and unwavering determination of Nigerian women to actively participate in shaping the future of Nigeria.
Kalu, represented by Dr Lilian Agbazue, said the House of Representatives recognised the importance of creating more access for women in the legislative process.
He said, ‘`To this end, the house has undertaken several initiatives to review laws and sections of the constitution, gender-sensitive legislation such as affirmative actions, legislative advocacy, and public consultations.
“The House is working tirelessly towards fostering a more inclusive and empowering legislative environment for women.’’
Kalu said that the challenges women face included limited opportunities for education and employment, to gender-based violence. to unequal access to healthcare and political representation.
He said that the House of Representatives would address these challenges head-on, working tirelessly to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
The Guest Speaker, Ms Ginika Tor, Federal Commissioner, Representing Enugu, Federal Character Commission, urged women to discover themselves and know their worth.
Tor also called on women to quit seeing themselves as competitors but strengthen each other to succeed by augmenting each other.
“We have the votes, the power and it takes so we should shun little gifts and support fellow women to win elections, ’she said
(NAN)