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.
Abdulmajeed Wahab Aliyu Muhammad Saifudeen Kwara Buari Edun Bayo Ajia Magaji Erubu Oba Abdulrahim 2017 Budget Dele Belgore Oladimeji Thompson Hussein Oloyede Mufutau Olatinwo Kwara State Polytechnic Segun Olawoyin KWACOBPA Usman Yunusa MAI Akande Bursary Olohungbebe Village Alive Development Association Hassan A. Saliu Ayo Salami ANCOPPS Aliyu Umar Ayeni Okin High School Lucky Omoluwa Olabode George Towoju Isiaka Yusuf Muhammed Abdullahi Boko Haram Seun Bolaji Babaloja-General Akorede Split Diamond Interchange Ndama Al-hassan Plat Technologies GANZY Oba Abu Abdulganiyu Oladosu Emmanuel Bello Kwara Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations Gbadeyan Gbadura Yomi Olugbense Damilola Yusuf Adelodun Sunday Otokiti Saliu Ajibola Ajia Just Law Forum March 18 Bank Of Industry Bolaji Abdullahi Afin Descendants Union Of Odo-Owa Sambo Murtala Afusat Nike Ibrahim PAACO-PCL Consortium Isiaka Saka Opobiyi Omu-aran Abdulrahman Iliasu Ishola Abdullahi Iyiola Oyedepo Shagari Rasheed Jimoh Eghe Igbinehin Wasiu Odewale Pilgrims Board Shehu Salau Ojuekun Kwara 2015 Aso-ofi ITEM 7 UNILORIN Alumni Salman Suleiman Jumoke F. Ajao Tanke Flyover Bridge Michael Nzekwe Standard Organization Of Nigeria Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq