The Women in Politics Forum (WIPF) has strongly condemned situations where political parties give free nomination forms to women to contest electable positions.
It said this was not only doing more harm than good, but also depriving women the right to holding positions of authority in the country.
This was stated by the President of WIPF, Ebere Ifendu at a media and stakeholders presentation and review of the women fund’s strategic framework 2016-2019, organised by The Nigerian Women’s Trust fund with support from African Women’s Development Fund in Abuja on Wednesday.
While noting the poor representation of women in top positions in the country, she blamed the trend on political parties.
In her explanations, she said although free nomination forms were used by political parties to encourage women participation but added that they are easily discarded when the intrigues of politics come to play.
Her words: “Representation of women is too low and I will blame political parties. Free forms came out at a time when women were begged to come out. Free forms are not necessary anymore because it is even doing more harm than good.
“You see, when the intrigues of politics start to come to play, at that point for a woman who did not pay for forms, she cannot be considered during zoning as a potential candidate over someone who has paid millions to get his form.”
Ifendu, who charged women to stand up and play real politics said, “Let us forget about free forms and do real politics. Until we understand this, we will still remain in the 5.5 per cent we are. We really don’t have women occupying positions, women should be proactive,” she added.
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