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.
Samuel Olusegun Adedayo Democracy Day Ayekale Afolabi-Oshatimehin Adenike Harriet Bola Iyabo Ibiyeye Adisa Ilorin Curfew Eleja Taiwo Banu Jumoke F. Ajao Esinrogunjo SSUCOEN Matthew Babaoye Halimah Perogi Pakata Patriots Akande Idowu Ayoola Muhammed Monkey Pox Joshua Adeyemi Adimula Ridhwanullah Al-Ilory Michael Ologundea Muhammad Akande Olarewaju Odunade Ahman Patigi Nigerian Army Saad Omo Iya Kola Adesina Ballah Yoonus Lawal Arinola Fatimoh Lawal Vasolar Consultoria Al-Hikmah University QuickWin Galadiman Ngeri Abdulrazaq Magaji Kola Bukoye Toyin Falola Vasolar Consortium Lanre Issa-Onilu Ridwan Agboola Savannah Centre For Diplomacy, Democracy And Development Shuaib Jawondo KWTV First Lady Moses Salami Olupako Idiagbon High Court NIPR Lanre Badmus Magaji Nda Segun Ogunsola National Association Of Nigerian Students KWATMA Kayode Oyin Zubair Patigi Regatta Kuliyan Geri Bankole Omishore ITEM 7 Aliyu Alhassan Sunday Fagbemi Ilorin.Info Mopelola Abdulmaliq-Bashir Sherif Shagaya Wole Oke Surajudeen Akanbi Share Alikinla Umar Sanda Yusuf Abdulhakeem Adelaja Amao Muhammed Danjuma Saeedat Aliyu Senate Code Of Conduct Abdulrazaq Aiyelabegan Mike Omotosho Ibrahim Akaje Issa Baba Aro Yahaya Nagode Royal FM

