By Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
‎Having realised that their fortune have nosedived in the current political dispensation in both elective and non-elective positions, Nigerian women have started strategising ahead of the 2019 general election and have vowed to dismantle the patriarchal structures limiting women participation‎ in politics.
The women at a two-day ‎learning and experience sharing dialogue with the theme: “Unbundling Barriers to Inclusive Democracy”, organised by the Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund (NWTF) in collaboration with Action Aid, UK Aid Ford Foundation and Women in Politics Forum said that they were ready to support any party that presents more opportunities for women.
Delivering her keynote address, the Minister of Women Affairs, Senator Jummai Alhassan, said Nigeria has made several efforts to ensure the participation of women who are excluded in governance, but lamented that the number of women in legislative houses is ‎not encouraging as a result of the patrician dominance in Nigeria.
Alhassan, who was represented by Ms. Victoria Ella, noted that since 1999 till date, it was evident that women have not reached 10 per cent representation.
She stated: “The challenges inhibiting women participation in politics are numerous. Therefore, political empowerment‎ of women needs to be comprehensive by taking cognisance of political, economic, cultural and social dimensions. This is why there is need for a gender agenda for the empowerment of women.”
Details later…
