The need to increase the number of women in key political offices in Nigeria has been underscored, with a call for the creation of special seats exclusively for women in both State and National Assemblies.
At a Town Hall Meeting held in Umuahia, the Abia state capital, the group under the aegis of Stand to End Rape in partnership with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, highlighted through its Project Manager, Mr Muhammed Husseni the importance of providing more opportunities for women to engage in politics.
With the Project theme,”Amplifying Women’s Representation In Politics In Nigeria, the Project Manager, Mr Husseni,pointed out that Abia State was chosen for the awareness campaign due to the notable number of women appointed by the Governor of the State, Alex Otti, to positions such as Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, and Advisers.
Husseni also urged Nigerians to support a petition for the special seat bill, which will soon be presented at he National Assembly.
In her remarks, Miss Elfrida Adeleye, the communication officer for the initiative, called on journalists to champion the cause of women’s participation in politics through objective and fair reporting.
During the lecture on “Inclusivity in Governance: Nigerian Women, the Special Seats Bill, and Effective Communication,” Comrade Victor Ndukwe, the National Treasurer of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, expressed concern over the continued underrepresentation of women in Nigerian politics. He shared data revealing a stark disparity in the representation of women in Nigeria’s political leadership, particularly in elective positions.
Ndukwe emphasized that Nigeria could benefit significantly from greater female participation in politics, governance, and decision-making. These benefits, he noted, would include improved decision-making, economic empowerment, international development, enhanced social welfare and education, greater representation, social justice, reduced gender-based violence, and better healthcare.
He stressed the importance of effectively communicating the impact of women’s involvement in governance, using statistics to highlight the advantages of gender inclusivity in leadership. He concluded that inclusive governance is vital for Nigeria’s progress, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5, which focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls, and Goal 16, which aims to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions, thereby fostering sustainable development.
Also, the Programme Support Officer for Abia State,Helen Onwuka, emphasized the importance of including women in policy-making processes in Nigeria.
