The International Press Centre (IPC) in Lagos, Nigeria, is asking the Nigerian government to increase female political representation, as the world marks this year’s International Women’s Day.
The involvement the organisation is asking for is at both national and subnational levels within Nigeria.
Reflecting on the United Nations theme for this year, “Invest in women—accelerate progress,” the IPC emphasises the importance of empowering and investing in women by promoting their active participation in political leadership and decision-making roles.
Persistent Barriers
This is seen as a crucial strategy to swiftly address the democratic challenges facing the nation.
Furthermore, the IPC draws attention to the inadequate representation of women in political positions in Nigeria.
This is so despite constitutional provisions and international agreements advocating for their inclusion.
It says persistent systemic and societal barriers hinder women’s engagement in politics.
This imbalance persisted during the 2023 elections in Nigeria, and it resulted in adverse implications for women’s representation and impact within the government.
Also, the IPC identified notable inequality in government portfolios.
“Notably, the proportion of women in Nigeria’s National Assembly decreased by 19% compared to the previous assembly.
“Presently, women hold only 3% of Senate seats and 4% of seats in the House of Representatives, a statement by the Executive Director of the IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, emphasised.
Effectiveness Of Government Institutions
Furthermore, the organisation highlighted the importance of acknowledging the significant perspectives and contributions that women offer to governance in Nigerian society.
Mr. Arogundade noted that empowering women in politics not only promotes fairness and equality, but also enhances the overall effectiveness and legitimacy of governmental institutions.
“Through concerted efforts to address these disparities, by dismantling barriers and fostering inclusivity in political arenas, Nigeria can pave the way for a more inclusive and representative democracy that truly reflects the voices and needs of all its citizens”, he stressed.
Also, he stated that the IPC’s initiatives in the realm of democracy have significantly contributed to enhancing the media’s pivotal role as a primary influencer in elections.
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“These efforts have focused on enhancing the capabilities of both the media and female candidates nationwide, empowering them to effectively leverage the media’s influence in promoting democracy.
“Notably, these endeavours have yielded commendable results, with some beneficiaries, particularly female lawmakers, successfully securing seats in the States House of Assembly during the 2023 Elections.”
Furthermore, Mr. Arogundade stressed that to mitigate the high attrition rates of women in elections, the importance of key stakeholders advocating for gender-equitable policies, initiating voter education campaigns on gender equality, and addressing feminised poverty through economic equality initiatives.
The international Women’s Day is an annual event celebrated on March 8 as a focal point in the women’s rights movement. It gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
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