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.”
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Mutawali Goodluck Jonathan Kamoru Kadiri Harafat E. Mukadam Musa Aibinu Manzuma Abraysports FC Nigerian Correctional Service T And K FOODS Neuropsychiatric Hospital Afolabi-Oshatimehin Adenike Harriet Islamiya Abdulraheem Alabi Lawal Abdulmumini AbdulRazaq Fatimoh Lawal Maigida Soludero Transit Farouk Salim Babatunde Ishola Babaita Ilorin South Bamidele Adegoke Oladimeji Dan Iya Durosinlohun Kawu Inside Kwara Emir Of Shonga Ilorin Abdullahi G. Mohammad Alloy Chukwuemeka Biliaminu Aliu Jelili Yusuf Kwarareports Elections Lanre Jimoh Isiaka Yusuf Tinubu Abdulraheem Olesin Gafaru Olayiwola Olorisade Sarkin Malamai Ahman Patigi Ishaq Abdulkarim Danhawa Funmilayo Zubair Rice Farmers Association Of Nigeria Mahfouz Adedimeji Oba David Oyerinola Adedunmoye KWIRS Abdulganiy Abimbola Abdussalam Fulani PharmAccess Foundation David Oyerinola Adedunmoye Ibrahim Mashood IHS Towers Aisha Gobir Hikmah AbdulKareem April 11 COEASU Arandun Olomu Of Omu-Aran Abdulrazaq Adebayo John Kehinde Salako Ayedun Alabe Lanre Aremu Mahmud Ayinla Giwa Madawaki Of Ilorin Yoruba Titus Ashaolu Rafiu Ibrahim Awodun Sango-UITH Road Harmony Holdings Oba Abu Wahab Agbaje Kehinde Boyede Crystal Corner Shops General Hospital Yomi Ogunsola Kwara Poly

