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.
Amuda Aluko Osi Communication Network Support Services Haashim Initiative For Community Advancement Afonja Descendants Union Kwara State Branch Of The National Library Freshvine Nigeria Limited Oba Abdulrahim Wole Oke Kayode Issa Babajide Ajayi Ilorin Central Mosque Moronfoye Abdulrahman Iliasu Jumoke F. Ajao April 11 Jani Ibrahim Omoniyi M. Ayinla Okanlawon Musa Hameed Oladipupo Ali Bashirat Bola Bello Chief Imam Of Lafiagi Victor Gbenga Yusuf Sheu Ndanusa Usman Oba David Oyerinola Adedunmoye Mohammed Haruna Tsado Manman CACOVID Palliatives SGBN Belgore KFA Yetunde Balogun Dan Masanin Kwara State Governor Y.A. Abdulkareem Doyin Group National Broadcasting Commission Abraysports FC Femtech Valsolar Consultoria David Oyepinola Adedumoye Yusuf Lawal Michael Imoudu National Institute For Labour Studies Ilorin South SWAN John Kehinde Salako Eleja Taiwo Banu Ibrahim Abdulqadir Abikan Amasa Moremi High School Sulyman Age AbdulKareem Abdulquawiy Olododo NAWOJ Aliyu Kora Sabi Abiodun Jacob Ajiboye Hassan Saliu Bello Abubakar Tunde Saad Bayo Onimago Baboko Primary School Buari Edun Ilorin Anchor Men And Women Umar Sanda Yusuf Afolabi-Oshatimehin Adenike Harriet Funmilayo Mohammed Abdulrazaq Aiyelabegan Samuel Adedoyin Oyawoye Towobola Abdulrahman Toyin Oju Ekun Sarumi TIC Ganmo Kayode Ibrahim Old Oyo Abdullahi Adisa Akodudu Kwara Restoration Project Yahaya Abdulkareem

