The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has appealed to stakeholders in political parties to be gender sensitive in the composition of leadership of their various platforms.
He gave the charge on Friday at a one-day Consultative meeting with leaders of political parties as part of its engagement with critical stakeholders in electoral process ahead of the 2019 general
elections.
Represented at the event by National Commissioner, Dr. Adekunle L. Ogunmola, the INEC chairman said the mission to foster gener balance informed his Commission formulation of INEC Gender Policy to ensure “our electoral functions and operations are gender sensitive and
responsive.”
He said: “We will continue to engage with critical stakeholders at various levels to secure support to interrogate gender issues in politics and political processes in Nigeria.”
Professor Yakubu further called on electoral stakeholders, especially political parties to make concerted effort to promote and achieve gender balance in their structure, policies and operations.
He declared that political party leaders “wield significant influence on the shape and structure of the political culture and orientation in the parties. I therefore, urge you to use this forum to discuss and
find ways of complementing the Commission’s efforts in improving women’s political representation in elective and appointive positions of authority and leadership in Nigeria.”
Prof. Yakubu observed that women’s empowerment has proven to be a viable tool for eradicating poverty and advancing sustainable development, adding that “it is in our collective best interest as
political parties and electoral stakeholders to eliminate gender barriers and pave way for fair representation of women in party leadership.”
Dr. Ogunmola, who was also represented by National Commissioner, Barrister Mrs. May Agbamuche reiterated the Commission’s commitment to providing a level playing field for all participants in the electoral process, as he noted that women are disadvantaged in many
ways and as such the objective of gender equality has remained paramount as ‘we discharge our duties.’
Dr. Ogunmola further said that promoting gender equality in political party operations is therefore a logical imperative and should be pursued with vigour considering that women’s empowerment has been
identified as a viable tool for sustainable development.
Speaking on the INEC Gender Policy and Political Parties in Nigeria, the Deputy Director, Gender in INEC, Mrs. Blessing Obidegwu noted that women constitute about 49% of the population of the country and
represents critical mass of voters and electoral stakeholders that cannot be ignored.
She regretted that this number of women is not visible in their participation in electoral process either as voters or candidates, noting that there are many barriers preventing women from actively
participating in the electoral process.
Mrs. Obidegwu observed that the political parties had shown commitment to support women candidacy through some of their manifestoes and oral speeches but regretted that they are yet to practically demonstrate this.
In his contribution, the National Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Muhammad L. Ndalalo pledged the commitment of political parties to providing level playing field for all
participants in the electoral process.
He said that IPAC has made it mandatory for all political parties to ensure that there must be two women member of their executive and pledged to join INEC in its efforts to eliminate gender barriers in
electoral process. The keynote speaker, the Chairman of House Committee on Electoral Matters and Political Party Affairs, Hon. Aishatu J. Dukku called for a positive action in addressing problems hindering women from participating actively in electoral process.
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