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.
Yusuf Ali Kale Kawu Amina El-Imam CKNG AbdulRauf Keji Muhammed Aliyu Ola Falade Saliu Oluwole Adegoke Bamidele Prince Mahe Abdulkadir Oyedun Juliana Funke Pilgrims Board Ganmo Power Sub-Station Muazam Nayaya Magaji Are Hamidu Olowo Ilota Michael Nzekwe Ali Ahmad Ahman Pategi Towoju Michael Ologundea CT Ayeni Tafida Atiku Kwara State Polytechnic Olabode George Towoju Yinka Aluko Raimi Iyanda Omupo Erubu SARS Kayode Bankole Muritala Awodun Amule Elementary School Jimoh Lambe Abdulkareem Ibrahim Sulu Gambari Flights To Ilorin Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu Yusuf Zulu-Gambari Ilesha-Baruba Suwa-Arabs Umar Danladi Shero PharmAccess Foundation Rotimi Atere Tunji Arosanyin JMK Construction Company Limited Quran Bisi Kristien Elerinjare-Ibobo Oba Abdulrahim General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport Hikmah AbdulKareem NNPP Dar-Al-Handasah Consultants Oba Abdulkadir La\'aro Popo-Igbonna Tanke Flyover Bridge Abdul Jimoh Mohammed Taibat Ayinke Ahmed Hassan Abdulazeez Elewu Saad Belgore Samuel Elizabeth Keatswa Oko-Olowo Jamiu Oyawoye Coalition Of Kwara North Groups Dan Iya Salake Muhammed Taofeeq Abdulrazaq Forgo Battery Lanre Badmus Saidu Kawu GAMA Raliat Islamic Foundation Rex Olawoye Erubu Oba Zubair Mohammed Ajia Ibrahim

