In less than three months, Nigerians will go to the polls to elect new leaders. Gender equality in all spheres of life including Politics, has become a fundamental issue. This was the thrust of a recent discussion during an all-male Political Leader’s Summit organised by Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) in partnership with United Kingdom Aid and Voices4Change. The Summit targeted only male Political Party Leaders purposely to discuss the obstacles facing women in Politics and share from their wealth of experience on how the political stage can be enlarged for women. Senior Reporter ANTHONIA SOYINGBE was at the summit.
Veronica mother of five is an active member of the All Progressive People’s Congress (APC) in Mosan/Okunola Local Council Development Area of Alimosho Local Government, Lagos State. She has been involved in politics in her neighbourhood for over eight years.
While discussing with one of her allies lately, Veronica who three years ago received a grinding machine by her Political Party, Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN, now All Progressives congress-APC) during a skill acquisition program said, “I joined Politics so as to secure a job for my son and till date, nothing has been done. Although I am not complaining because I am benefitting from the largesse of our leaders who are always providing small sums and food for us at every political outing”, said Veronica.
She further confessed to her friend that the Party gave her a whooping sum of, N25, 000’ when her daughter got married three years ago.
Also in the same locality, Aisha who for over 15 years has been participating in grassroots politics recently ‘hit a goldmine’ when her Party gave her N100, 000 to start a business. She still participates actively in Politics and today, her mission in Nigerian Politics can be some standards be said to be accomplished.
The above scenarios constitute the mind-set of the average Nigerian woman in Politics hence they are often seen as an efficient tool in winning elections.
From various walks of life, women have more than ever before been clamouring for better representation in decision-making process in nation-building. Truly, unlike before, more women are at the corridors of power and they are holding sensitive positions but there still remains room for better representation of womenfolk in Nigeria politics.
Women around the world are playing increasingly visible roles in the democratic processes of their various countries as voters, candidates, election observers, representatives, peace mediators and as civic educators in the home, the community and beyond. Nigerian women with over half of the population with great potentials have been faced with lots of obstacles preventing them from participating in decision-making and political participation.
Conveyor of the summit and Executive Director WARDC, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi in her address explained that the summit identifies male champions in political parties which can further the agenda of gender equality.
“This summit, is therefore to provide a unique platform for Political Parties to jointly reflect on the fundamental challenges that constrain the advancement of gender equality in politics and decision making with political parties; share practical measures and strategies that are being undertaken to advance gender equality in politics and political parties in different African Countries; exchange information and experiences on the role that democracy assistance providers play in supporting the advancement of gender equality in politics and political parties; distil key lessons and best practices with regard to sustainable strategies and measures for promoting representation of adolescent girls and women in politics and political parties.
“The journey to total political emancipation for women is still a long one but we can shorten it through our collective effort. It begins with educating women on their fundamental human rights so that they are not easily intimidated,” she said
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Party (APC), in his presentation at the summit advocated gender equality in policy making in the country. He urged government at all levels to encourage the participation of women in politics and be voted into positions of relevance in the 2015 general elections. Mohammed classified some of the challenges impeding women participation in the political space as traditional, religious belief, economic and education.
“It is not about what women need to do, but what government needs to do because there are many impediments. All we need for more women representation is the backing of the law. Women have proved time and again that if given the right opportunity and tools, they can contribute meaningfully to the political process and national development,” Mohammed said while urging women to rise up to the challenges so that their voices could be heard.
Also speaking, a representative from the National Conscience Party (NCP), Mr Seyi Ajayi, urged policy makers to ensure that women were elected as deputy governors. “No matter how women are marginalised, policies should be designed to have a female deputy for all male governors; it must not be by appointment if they must contribute meaningfully,” Ajayi said.
One of the participant a stalwart of Labour Party in Ikeja Darlington Uche speaking with Daily Independent shortly after the summit said, “this is an eye-opener, I will not only support women who aspires to take up leadership role in politics, I will also advocate and promote their cause. We all know that women are better managers; it is high time we support them so we can have a better society.
WARDC at the summit also advocated the rebalancing between men and women in terms of resources, legal rights, participation, decision making and equal relations.
Male Political leaders after the summit, pledged to commit to the value of gender equality, support their parties to put in place policies and legislations to promoting gender equality. They also pledged to contribute generally towards effective action to tackle the structural and attitudinal obstacles to women’s equitable participation in the society, particularly on issues aimed at shifting negative attitudes and behaviours among their followers and mentor young women in Politics and with the political parties.
Women are not in Politics to sing and clap neither are they Politicians just for the sole aim of been in politics to campaign during electioneering campaign. They are basically in Politics to contribute meaningfully to the development of their fatherland.
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