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.
Oniwa Maryam A. Garuba Christopher Tunji Ayeni Mustapha Akanbi Ibrahim Abikan Taofik Abiodun Ahmed Doyin Group Abdulwasiu Bolaji Adeyi Oniwasi Agbaye Ibraheem Abdullateef Abdulhakeem Adelaja Amao Alikinla Baba-Isale Saliu Oluwole CACOVID Palliatives Chief Imam Of Omu-Aran Ibrahim Bio Isiaka Oniwa Taofik Mustapha Charcoal Mukhtar Shagaya Elerinjare Ilorin Eleyele Yahaya A Paniyaro Afetu Of Alabe Nigeria Governors\' Forum Umar Danladi Shero Yekini Adio ASKOMP Frootify Folorunsho Erubu Wale Oladepo Baboko Primary School Amina El-Imam Naira Redesign Shero Aisha Abodunrin Ibrahim Alore Hamid Bobboyi Abdulmumini Jawondo Senior Special Assistant On Student Affairs Salihu S. Yaru Ahmed Owode Market Bolaji Gambari Neuropsychiatric Hospital Olatunde Jare Oro Grammar School Christian Association Of Nigeria Alaiye All Peoples Party Saadu Yusuf Kaosarah Adeyi Universal Basic Education Commission Kpotum Mohammed Baba Abdulmumini Sanni Jawondo Olatunji Moronfoye Labour Party ANCOPPS Oke Sunna Gani Saadu Tinubu Legacy Forum IFK Al-Adaby Mogaji Aare Kwara 2019 Millennium Development Goals Kwara United Oko-Olowo Bello Taoheed Abubakar Abubakar Atiku Ubandawaki Aisha Buhari Roseline Oni Aremu Saka Abimbola Isau Folashade Omoniyi

