Women Group Canvasses Legislative Support for Equality, Increased Appointment, Others

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Renewed Hope Female Aspirants Network (RHFAN) has called on the legislature to create mechanisms that will support gender equality, electoral opportunities for female aspirants as well as capacity development and funding support for women.

According to the group, to progress in increasing women’s representation in Nigerian politics requires 35% affirmative action in political appointments at all government levels.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday during a press briefing themed “Women Rising: A Renewed Hope for Inclusive Political Participation”, the keynote speaker and national spokesperson of RHFAN, Dr. Judith Ogbara, said the leadership of the group has been vocal about the need for deliberate inclusion of women in decision-making positions as the group aligns itself with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda which emphasizes national development and democratic consolidation.

According to Ogbara, the group’s key demands include “increased political appointments for women, support for female candidates, and legislative backing for gender equality. They also seek capacity development and funding for female aspirants.

“RHFAN’s initiative has sparked hope for a more inclusive democracy. The coalition is mobilizing, mentoring, and supporting women across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

“Government response has been positive, with President Tinubu’s administration showing commitment to the renewed hope agenda. However, RHFAN seeks concrete actions, including policy changes and support systems for female aspirants”.

She added that as RHFAN pushes forward, the focus is on collaboration with government, civil society, and stakeholders to build a more inclusive political landscape in Nigeria and the goal is a future where women are key decision-makers shaping Nigeria’s destiny.

In her combined welcome address, the national coordinator of RHFAN, Hon. Tonbra Sebrina Ekiotenne, said when women are added in decision making processes, governance becomes more inclusive, policies become more responsive, and national development becomes more balanced and sustainable.

She noted the country cannot truly thrive when half of its population is underrepresented in governance and for this reason, political parties, government institutions and all stakeholders must move beyond rhetoric and commit to real, measurable inclusion of women in elective and appointive positions.

She said, “As women, we are not just beneficiaries of this vision, we are key drivers of it. At RHFAN, we are committed to identifying, supporting, and empowering women across Nigeria to take their rightful place in leadership.”