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.
Hijab Igbomina Chartered Institute Of Personnel Management Of Nigeria Tinubu National Information Technology Development Agency Senior Staff Union Of Colleges Of Education Michael Nzekwe Press Release AGF Abdulrazaq Muhammed Akanbi AbdulQowiy Olododo Hussein Oloyede Ahmed Saidu Rufai Nigeria Governors\' Forum IPSAS Isiaka AbdulRazaq Bisi Oyeleke Unicontinental Construction Company Borgu Bello Oyebanji Egbewole Talaka Parapo Hassan A. Saliu Bank Of Industry Galadiman Ngeri Okin Group Hijaab Neo Mundo Ltd Nupe Raheem Adaramaja Old Oyo Lai Mohammed Aiyedun Ibrahim Mohammed Olomu Olatunde Jare Kola Bukoye Ilorin Emirate Stakeholders Forum Jimoh Bashir Medview Airlines Jumoke Monsura Gafar Yashikira Isaac Aderemi Kolawole CCB Modibbo Kawu Bayo Ajia Muhammad-Mustapha Suleiman Idowu Laro Oasis Muslim Care Foundation Federal Allocation Ijagbo Ike Ekweremadu Saadu Alanamu Metro Park Ola Falade Mamman Saba Jibril Kemi Adeosun Aisha Abodunrin Ibrahim Kwara TV General Hospital, Offa Bashiru Makama Damilola Yusuf Mustapha Akanbi Share/Tsaragi Afonja Descendants Union Isiaka Yusuf Zaratu Umar Mujtabah Bature Mohammed Katsina Ahmed NSCIA FOMWAN Damilola Yusuf Adelodun 2023 Elections Ahmad Olayiwola Kamaldeen Abdul-Rasheed Na\'Allah Amina Susa\'a De Ahmed NTA Ilorin

