The European Union delegation to Nigeria on Friday urged political parties to adopt robust measures and strategies to increase women’s participation and representation.
It was noted that the active participation of women at all levels of decision-making and politics is essential to the achievement of equality, sustainable development, peace, and democracy.
The EU further stressed that there is an urgent need for political parties to review and reform all founding and policy documents, namely political parties’ constitutions, manifestos, party rules, procedures, and strategy documents, to incorporate national and international norms and obligations on gender equality.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, made this known during the Women in Parliament Summit in Abuja, in commemoration of International Women’s Week.
It was organised by the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria with the theme: Inspiring Inclusion: Policy Mechanisms for Gender Parity in Politics.
She said, “The ongoing constitution reform process presents an opportunity to adopt an inclusive legal framework that promotes equal participation of all Nigerians regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, and disability status.
“In Nigeria, the advocacy for women’s political participation has been long-drawn, and in spite of the very dynamic
interventions by women’s groups and other key stakeholders, their representation remains in steady decline.
“For example, women’s representation in the 10th National Assembly is 7.4 per cent out of 469 combined seats in the Senate and House of Representatives.
“There has been no woman elected governor in Nigeria’s 25 years of democracy, and the percentage of women appointed to political positions still falls significantly short compared to men. I am not quoting these figures to make it seem impossible, but to show that it is indeed possible.
“It is recognised that political parties are the ‘real gatekeepers’ to women’s political empowerment. If the political parties institutionalise gender equality measures and transform from within, it will have a direct impact on 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 per cent, which is regarded as a critical figure for women to have any influence.
“The political culture in Nigeria is underpinned by patriarchy and the ‘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 is true both internally and regarding the EU’s approach to international cooperation. To achieve this, the EU launched its third Gender Action Plan on November 25, 2020.
“The Gender Action Plan aims to help establish a gender-equal world where women and girls enjoy their human rights in full 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 programmes, which are now worth over 180 million euros.
“We have developed a variety of approaches to support women’s political participation. Efforts focus on women in politics, women as candidates, and women as voters, as well as in electoral observation,” she said.
In her remarks, Miriam Onuoha, Chair, House Committee on TETFUND, said, “We could move away from conventional advocacies and campaign points to non-conventional advocacies such as appeals to our traditional institutions and faith-based organisations, wherein these advocacies will stem from our cultural heads. They should pick a female candidate and sponsor such a person.
“Even if we have a little bit of the numbers, if we are not on the core decision-making table, decisions that border on which of these bills comes as priorities become overlooked or maybe watered-down because we are not there when these critical decisions are taken.”
Marie Ebikake, a House of Representatives member representing Nembe-Brass Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, said, “I have been in this game of politics for 44 years. I am a grassroots woman.
“I believe that, first, women must have a 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.”
In her remarks, Cynthia Mbamalu, Director of Programmes, Yiaga Africa, said, “In 1960, Nigeria had its first female senator, Wuraola Esan. However, 64 years later, we just have three senators who are women 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.”
“The statistics paint a stark picture: while women constitute approximately 49.4 per cent of Nigeria’s population, their representation in the parliament falls far below this mark.
“In parliamentary representation globally, Nigeria ranks at 181 out of 193 countries, 54 out of 54 in the African parliament, and currently has 4.43 per cent women representation nationally.
“This is below the global average of 22.5 per cent, the Africa Regional Average of 23.4 per cent, and the West African Sub-Regional Average of 15 per cent.
“The underrepresentation of women in political leadership often means that issues regarding women’s rights are often overlooked in setting the agenda for policymaking.
“Hence, there is a need to accelerate efforts towards ensuring adequate representation of women in political participation.”
