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.
Rex Olawoye Afolayan Yusuf AbdulRasheed Abdulahi Abubakar Bata Ahmed Mohammed Rifun Women For Change And Development Initiative Bamidele Adegoke Oladimeji Arandun Joseph Daudu Lanre Olosunde Kwabes Toyin Saraki Musa Aibinu Taofik Abdulkareem Babaita Senate Shade Omoniyi Ike Ekweremadu Apado Javed Khan Borgu Isiaka Gold Salihu Jibril Garbi Alaaya ENetSuD Peter Amogbonjaye Wahab Kunle Shittu Ahmad Lawan Lukman Adeloyin Gbajabiamila Gamji Members Association Adedayo Yusuf Abdulkareem Ahmad Fatima Bisola SWAN Hamidu Olowo 20 Billion Bond Magaji Are Clement Yomi Adeboye Centre For Digital Economy Hassan Saliu Adebara Raliat AbdulRazaq Kwara State Geographic Information Service Lasiele Alabi Yahaya IYA ALFA NLA ASUU Ajibike Katibi Abdulquawiy Olododo Olaitan Buraimoh Bond Bolaji Abdullahi Doyin Awoyale PharmAccess Foundation ASKOMP Olohungbebe Samuel Adaramola State Bureau Of Internal Revenue Ahmed Ayinla Jimoh Abdulwasiu Bolaji Adeyi Wahab Abayawo Ilorin Metro Park Yahaya Dumoye Ghali Alaaya Allocation Emir Of Ilorin Ilorin West Daud Adeshola Idi-Ape Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs Lawyers Unite Against Corruption CACOVID Palliatives Sayomi Mohammed Lawal Kayode Oyin Zubair Vasolar Musibau Akanji Saka Onimago Nigeria Customs Service

