Kwara Female Political Stakeholders Decry Exclusion in Local Government Primaries
According to a news report from the Nigerian Tribune, female political stakeholders in Kwara State have condemned the alleged subtle exclusion of women candidates by political parties in the ongoing local government election primaries in the state.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday, the leadership of civil society organisations in the state, led by the Executive Director of Women Environment and Youth Development Initiative (WOYODEV), Mrs. Tosin Apiriola-Ajayi, expressed concern that the presence of women in political offices remains disproportionately low, despite women constituting a significant portion of the electorate.
The group accused political parties of playing a pivotal role in this issue, stating that parties often perpetuate traditional gender roles and fail to provide equal opportunities for women candidates.
“The subtle exclusion of women by political parties takes various forms, such as lack of support for women's candidacies, biased media coverage, and a dearth of financial resources allocated to women candidates.
“These practices contribute to a political culture that is unwelcoming to women, thereby reinforcing the gender gap in political representation,” she said.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the League of Women Voters, Hajia Bilqis Oladimeji, said that political parties have not been taking the 35% affirmative action into cognizance in zoning positions within the LGAs in Kwara State.
Oladimeji also said that free tickets announced by political parties for women had not translated to the meaningful emergence of women for key political offices in the state.
“We, therefore, call on political parties to honor the 35% affirmative action as enshrined in conventions, treaties, and agreements.
“Women should be given a chance and wholly supported to attain offices within the LGAs, including the chairmanship position.
“The time to position Kwara State higher as a gender-friendly state is now through the LGA elections. As such, we must not relent in pushing women to the front.
“Political parties should support women to emerge not only as women leaders and vice-chairpersons within ward levels but also to hold other major offices to enhance decision-making.”
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Babs Iwarere Valsolar-Kwara Company Limited Abdulrasheed Akogun Elekoyangan Akeem Olatunji Mansurat Amuda-Kannike Yusuf Amuda Abubakar Tescom.kwarastate.gov.ng Kwara South Paul Odama Kwarareports.com Ejidongari Hamidat Sulyman-Yusuf Onilupeju Of Ilupeju Ibrahim Abduquadri Abikan Oya State Ilorin Emirate Oloruntoyosi Thomas Ado Ibrahim Muslim Cementary Ahmed SSA Youth Engagement Mukhtar Shagaya David Oyepinola Adedumoye Saduki Lafiagi Ilorin Emirate Staff Association Azeez Salawu Oke-Odo Eleja Taiwo Banu Saheed Akinwumi Abdul-Rasheed Na\'Allah Baba Adini Of Kwara State Kwara State Sports Commission Sun Qing Rong Sunset Workers Kawu Baraje Doyin Group Adama Isa IHS Kulende Oloje National Party Of Nigeria Abdulquawiy Olododo Allocation Ibrahim Mashood Joseph Bamigboye Kola Shittu Ishak Mohammed Sabi Bareke Gbadeyan Gbadura Yomi Magaji Nda Oko Dele Momodu David Adesina Salihu Yahaya Salihu Jibril Garbi Kazeem Adekanye Reuben Paraje Oke-opin Lukman Oyebanji Fagbemi Olatunji Ayeni Sam Onile FERMA First Lady Ubandoma Garba Idris Ajia Ishaq Salman Muslim Stakeholders Of Kwara State Wasiu Onidugbe Abiodun Oyedepo Najim Yaasin Chief Of Staff CELF Durosinlohun Atiku Haruna Olawale Sulaiman Saka Abimbola Isau Abdulmutalib Shittu

