German govt, group to train women in political participation

About 300 women drawn from states in South West Nigeria are to benefit from a training programme to be sponsored by the German government in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, Hope for Family Development Initiative in political participation by the womenfolk.

A statement signed by the HFDI Programme Manager, Adeola Falana, obtained in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on Tuesday, said women in the region still face significant disparities in political representation despite the increase in their number holding political positions across the country.

Falana said the training, tagged ‘Advancing Women’s Political Participation through Female Elected Candidates in South West Nigeria’, would be held in Osun, Oyo and Ekiti states.

She added that apart from organising capacity-building training for women aspirants, town hall meetings would also be held with community stakeholders, alongside sensitization workshops for young girls on the importance of women’s involvement in politics.

She called on stakeholders to work collectively to support women’s leadership and ensure women have an equal voice in shaping the future of our communities and nation.

The statement read, “Advancing Women’s Political Participation through Female Elected Candidates in the South West Nigeria project is a project funded by the German government and being implemented in Nigeria by Hope for Family Development Initiative (HFDI).

“The project is aimed at increasing the participation of women in political processes thereby promoting gender equality. A minimum of 100 women will be trained in campaign strategies, leadership skills, and political engagement over the project duration.

“Women’s political participation is crucial for achieving gender equality and inclusive governance. Despite progress, South West Nigeria still faces significant gender disparities in political representation.

“Empowering female elected candidates is essential for advancing women’s political participation and achieving gender equality in South West Nigeria. By addressing the barriers women face and implementing targeted strategies, we can create a more inclusive and representative political system that benefits all members of society.

“It is imperative that stakeholders at all levels work collaboratively to support women’s leadership and ensure that women have an equal voice in shaping the future of our communities and nation.”