HFDI, Oyo Women, Stakeholders Agree To Advance Women Participation In Politics
By Adetutu Aderemi,
Towards advancing elected women participation in politics in South-West Nigeria, Hope for Family Development Initiatives, Oyo state women and stakeholders has agreed to support and advocate for advancement of women into political positions.
This is as the group reiterated that it will embark on consistent campaign for elected women in politics to be included in appointment and political posts, as representative of women.
The decision was reached at the two days consultative meeting with stakeholders in Oyo state, held at The Polytechnic Ibadan CICS Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday, during the week.
At the program held in collaboration with Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen ifa, Federal Republic of Germany, the Executive Director HFDI Dr Aremu Stephen Akinyele in his welcome speech charged the participants to rise up to the task of supporting women aspirants to achieve inclusion in politics and governance.
He added that the Organizations has mapped out templates to change the narrative of non-inclusion of women into positions, and, he urged them to forthwith becomes the ambassadors of the advancement of women’s political participation through elected women candidates in the state and south west, the beneficiary zone in Nigeria.
Revealing the expectations and assessment of report conducted on youth and women’s participation in politics in Nigeria, HFDI Program Manager Adeola Falana stated that there has been decline in representation of women at the Senate chamber, House of Representatives, Assembly and Deputy Governor’s positions.
Adding that it was discovered at the ward level that a woman occupy just one position (Woman Leader), while the eighteen other positions are given to the male gender, she pointed out that Nigeria till date has never had a Female President and Governor.
The different women association and groups, among other stakeholders who participated in the consultative meeting in Oyo state, listed various measures and challenges to achieve the objective, alongside the 35% affirmative, which is yet to be fully implemented and adhered to in the country.
To achieve the advancement of women in political posts, they called for support of women, restructuring, zero monetization, end-stigmatisation, taking up responsibilities, having a supportive husband/partner, availability, gender equation, breaking religious barrier and cultural norms, having integrity and good reputation, as well as involving everyone.
Speaking on the part of the political party which the aspirants may emerge from, they urge the political party and leaders to have party regulations that favours women, stop preference for men and ensure constant seminar for the candidates.
At the discuss, some of the stakeholders pledged their commitment to the aspirants who attended the program, and they all signed the commitment banner to buttress their position.
The HFDI two-day consultative meeting featured participants from: IPAC, INEC, OSIEC, ASHWAAN, FOMWAN, NAWOJ, JONAPWD, WOWICAN, League of Imaam, Center for Religious Freedom, Community Leaders, Non governmental organizations, Civil Society organizations, National Youth Council of Nigeria, various women association, government representatives, female aspirants among others.