The European Union (EU) has urged political parties in Nigeria to adopt robust measures and strategies to increase women’s participation and representation.
The EU also emphasized that active participation by women at all levels of decision-making and politics is essential for achieving equality, sustainable development, peace, and democracy.
Furthermore, the EU stressed the urgent need for political parties to review and reform all founding and policy documents, including political parties’ constitutions, manifestos, party rules, procedures, and strategy documents. This is to incorporate national and international norms and obligations on gender equality.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, made these points during the Women in Parliament Summit in Abuja. The event commemorated International Women’s Week and was organized by the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN), focusing on the theme: “Inspiring Inclusion: Policy Mechanisms for Gender Parity in Politics.”
She stated, “The ongoing constitution reform process presents an opportunity to adopt an inclusive legal framework that promotes equal participation for all Nigerians, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, and disability status.
“In Nigeria, the advocacy for women’s political participation has been long-standing. Despite dynamic interventions by women’s groups and other key stakeholders, their representation remains in steady decline. For instance, women’s representation in the 10th National Assembly is at 7.4 percent out of 469 combined seats in the Senate and House of Representatives.
“No woman has been elected Governor in Nigeria’s 25 years of democracy, and the percentage of women appointed to political positions still significantly lags behind men. I am not quoting these figures to make it seem impossible but to show that it is indeed possible.
“It is recognized that political parties are the ‘real gatekeepers’ of women’s political empowerment. If political parties institutionalize gender equality measures and transform from within, it will directly impact women’s equal participation and representation in Nigeria.”
Ambassador Isopi urged political parties to set women’s representation in their decision-making bodies, such as the National Executive Councils and directorates for elections, at not less than 30 percent—a critical figure for women to have any influence.
“The political culture in Nigeria is underpinned by patriarchy and ‘unwritten’ rules on male privilege within political parties. Oftentimes, only women whose husbands support them or have a legacy of family political activism make it to the top.
“On our part, Gender equality and Women’s Rights are top priorities of the European Union. This holds true internally and in the EU’s approach to international cooperation. To achieve this, the EU launched its third Gender Action Plan on 25 November 2020.
“The Gender Action Plan aims to help establish a gender-equal world, where women and girls enjoy their human rights fully, and fairer societies, in which everyone has the space to thrive with no one left behind.
“The EU has provided support for women’s political participation since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. Technical support has been provided within the framework of our electoral cycle support programs, now valued at over 180 million Euros.
“We have developed various approaches to support women’s political participation, focusing on women in politics, women as candidates, and women as voters, as well as in electoral observation,” she said.
Rt. Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha, Chair, House Committee on TETFUND, suggested, “We could move away from conventional advocacies and campaign points to non-conventional advocacies, such as appeals to our traditional institutions and faith-based organizations. In these advocacies, our cultural heads should pick a female candidate and sponsor such a person.
“Even if we have fewer numbers, if we are not on the core decision-making table, decisions that prioritize bills become overlooked or may be watered down because we are not there when these critical decisions are taken.”
Hon. Mrs. Marie Ebikake, House of Representatives member representing Nembe-Brass Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, stated, “I have been in this game of politics for 44 years. I am a grassroots woman. I believe that, first, women must have the passion for this game we call politics. When people say women are not included, I say – no, you must come out to show your interest from the grassroots.
“Women, beyond conferences and addresses, must face the practicality of this game. Don’t be afraid of any man. When we face the practicality of this game called politics, I tell you, you will enjoy it and be able to make a meaningful impact in the lives of people. Be upright; integrity is very important.”
Cynthia Mbamalu, Director of Programmes, Yiaga Africa, remarked, “In 1960, Nigeria had its first female Senator, Wuraola Esan. However, 64 years later, we only have 3 female Senators out of the 109 Senators in the National Assembly. That is not progress!
“This is a call for governmental action to ensure the amendment of the constitution to increase women’s representation. We need intentional efforts that can be taken to ensure legislative reforms, specifically constitutional amendments that can increase women’s representation.”
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“The statistics paint a stark picture: while women constitute approximately 49.4 percent of Nigeria’s population, their representation in the parliament falls far below this mark.
“Parliamentary representation globally ranks Nigeria at 181 of 193 countries, 54 out of 54 in the African parliament, with a current 4.43 percent women representation nationally. This is below the global average of 22.5 percent, the Africa Regional Average of 23.4 percent, and the West African Sub-Regional Average of 15 percent.
“The underrepresentation of women in political leadership often means that issues regarding women’s rights are overlooked in setting the agenda for policy-making. Hence, there is a need to accelerate efforts towards ensuring adequate representation of women in political leadership,” according to Eyitemi Adebowale, Head of Communications and Special Projects, ElectHER.
Vaneza Udegbe Gregory, Programme Lead, Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), added, “Together, we can overcome the barriers that hinder women’s political participation and create a more inclusive political environment in Nigeria.
“Together, we can build a future where every woman has the opportunity to contribute her talents and perspectives to the political landscape of our nation.”