The speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, has called on political and legislative institutions in the country to create more opportunities for women.
While lamenting the low participation of women in politics, Aribasoye said there is the need for proactive measures to address their under-representation in decision-making processes.
The speaker spoke during an event organised by the Balm in Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF), with the support of UN Women, to rally men and boys under the HeForShe movement to advocate for gender quotas and champion gender equality in political and leadership spaces.
The one-day dialogue had in attendance stakeholders including policymakers, government representatives, private sector leaders, civil society organizations, and grassroots advocates.
Aribasoye spoke in a keynote address titled ‘Accelerate action, building alliances: Men as allies in advancing women’s political participation’,
According to him, “This stark under-representation not only undermines the principles of democracy, but also impedes the nation’s socio-economic development. When women are excluded from decision-making, we lose the invaluable perspectives, experiences and insights they bring to the table for drafting policies that truly serve the needs of our communities.
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“We recognise that true progress cannot be achieved by women alone; it requires the active, conscious and sustained engagement of men as allies and partners. We must dismantle the deeply entrenched patriarchal norms that continue to impede women’s full participation in the political sphere.
“The HeForShe movement is a powerful reminder that gender equality is not a women’s issue; it is a human rights issue. It is a societal imperative that requires collective responsibility It necessitates the active involvement of men. Men, who often occupy positions of power, have the capacity to challenge and transform the societal structures that perpetuate inequality.”
The Executive Director, BIGIF, Dr Oluwatumininu Adedeji, emphasized the critical role of male allies in breaking systemic barriers against women’s political participation.
“Achieving gender equality is not a women’s issue alone—it requires the commitment of men and institutions to challenge biases, support affirmative action, and ensure equal opportunities for all,” she said.
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